Article September 23, 1916 Issue

Encouragement

FLORENCE LEWIS

WHEN we stop to analyze the purpose of the Wednesday evening testimony meeting, we find that it is nothing short of an opportunity for encouragement, not only of the stranger within our gates, but of ourselves, those who have experienced the joy of healing in Christian Science. Encouragement is a mental stimulant, and if it be of the right sort, it is often all that is required to put some wayfarer on his feet again; and when thus steadied, he goes forward with energy and purpose.

Some years ago the writer was on a ship in northern waters when late one day a passenger fell overboard. It was but the second trip of the big ship and everything about her was new, even to the experience of having a man overboard. There seemed an endless delay in getting the life-boat lowered and started on her mission of rescue, and as the minutes flew past, despite the fact that the man in the water had proven himself an excellent swimmer, yet little hope of saving him was entertained on account of the intensely cold water. When, however, the life-boat had at last swung around the stern of the vessel and was out into the open, there came the clear, concise command from the bridge of the ship, "Encourage him, encourage him." Every one within sound of that voice took heart. The life-saver on the bridge had lifted us all out of our fears, and we waited in reverent silence for the men in the life-boat to obey the command, to cheer this man, to give him a mental stimulant in his physical extremity.

With the rescue there was brought home the lesson of the opportunity for life-saving in obeying the command of our Leader issued years ago from the bridge of the stately ship of Science, in her wise institution of the Wednesday evening testimony meeting, to encourage those who come there for what we have to give. And, too, well may we wait in respectful silence, not only during the intermissions between the messages of encouragement, but reverently for each meeting to start. In this serene atmosphere each one would find an opportunity for the mental reflection of thanksgiving, for a quiet review in gratitude for the blessings received in Christian Science, and be ready to speak encouragingly.

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