Article July 26, 1919 Issue

The Wednesday Evening Offering

MINNIE GARDNER

At the Sunday services we have the privilege of giving our contribution toward the financial support of the church, and we can look upon the testimonies given at the Wednesday evening meetings as a means of contributing toward its spiritual support. Most of us find it easy to give our material offering, but to many it is almost an impossibility to give a spiritual offering in the form of a testimony.

If anyone who finds it difficult to give a testimony would realize that divine Love is ever present, that "underneath are the everlasting arms," and that each Christian Scientist at the meeting can reflect love and helpfulness, he would rise with perfect freedom and speak without fear. "Perfect love casteth out fear," and it also casts out all those thoughts of pride which make us afraid that we shall break down, speak badly, or become confused. On page 224 of "Miscellaneous Writings" Mrs. Eddy says, "It is our pride that makes another's criticism rankle;" and if we honestly examine our thought, we shall find that it is the fear of criticism which in many cases prevents us from speaking. This does not, of course, apply to those who are always ready, and who do give freely to the Wednesday evening meetings; they have made their demonstration, and have proved that it is possible for us all to do the same.

Some of the arguments which error uses to keep us from helping each other by giving testimony are, that there are plenty of good speakers without us, and it does not really matter whether we relate our healing or not; that we have nothing to say that can help; or that we are unable to express ourselves well enough to tell our experiences and so be helpful. If we are alert we shall see these evil suggestions for what they are, and we shall at once set to work to overthrow them. We ought to see that as members and adherents of a Christian Science church we are united to spread the truth which Christian Science teaches, and that any apathy or inactivity on our part simply means that we are allowing ourselves to be handled by error. There is nothing so encouraging to suffering humanity as an abundance of gratitude in the ranks of Christian Scientists. The realization of this will help us to maintain the strength and alertness which will enable us to refuse to entertain any thought which would prevent us from doing our part at the testimony meetings.

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