Giving Testimony

GERTRUDE GOODING MC CLOUD

When our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, provided that all Christian Science churches should hold Wednesday evening meetings, she made it possible for everyone who has been benefited by Christian Science to give to others a "reason of the hope that is in" him, a measure of the joy that has come to him through the application of the rules of divine Principle, as taught in the Christian Science textbook.

It behooves each one of us who wishes to have his share in fulfilling the purpose of these meetings, to remember that many times there are present at the services people who are listening for the first time to testimonies of Christian Science healing, perhaps some who have not read any of the authorized literature of the movement, and who, therefore, will not understand some of the expressions that are so familiar to Scientists themselves that unconsciously they use them so freely as to confuse the thought of those who are not accustomed to hear them used in a Christianly scientific way. If we keep this in mind, we shall be sure to state facts as clearly and concisely as possible, give careful thought to the phraseology we use, and endeavor to show the ordinary use of words in relation to the scientific sense, whenever possible.

Our first object is to show that it is the understanding of the absolute Science taught and demonstrated by Jesus and explained to us in this age in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, that has accomplished the healing of which we tell. If we simply state that we have been healed by having faith in God, our words may lead some one to believe that a blind faith in a corporeal God will in time bring healing to a sick body or mind. A positive statement that it is the demonstrable Science contained in our textbook that has wrought the cure, is necessary to maintain the object of the meeting.

Another mistake against which to guard is that of dwelling unnecessarily upon details of discord and disease in such a way as to form mental pictures of discordant conditions in the thoughts of listeners who have not yet learned how to protect themselves effectually against them. In the Manual of The Mother Church, Mrs. Eddy has given explicit instructions concerning this: "Testimony in regard to the healing of the sick is highly important. More than a mere rehearsal of blessings, it scales the pinnacle of praise and illustrates the demonstration of Christ, 'who healeth all thy diseases' (Psalm 103:3). This testimony, however, shall not include a description of symptoms or of suffering, though the generic name of the disease may be indicated. This By-Laws applies to testimonials which appear in the periodicals and to those which are given at the Wednesday evening meeting" (Art. VIII, Sect. 24). Careful study of and obedience to these instructions will eliminate the possibility of nullifying the effect of what should be a helpful testimony. It will also make us realize that it is unnecessary for us to relate at length experiences we may have had in the churches with which we were affiliated before we came to Christian Science.

One more thing worth mentioning in connection with this important activity of our church is the unwillingness we sometimes feel to testimony publicly to what we are glad to tell to personal friends and acquaintances at other times,—and sometimes in far less suitable places than a church edifice. Often a fear is voiced that those more experienced in public speaking may criticize our efforts, or that there may be those present who will not believe some of the wonderful things we wish to tell. If we look these excuses fairly in the face, we shall see that they are merely error's advocates trying to prevent us from giving and receiving the blessings that are a sure result of sharing with others the good we have ourselves received. We know that even if these suppositions are correct,—and they may not be,—we are not testifying alone for the benefit of those who come to criticize and doubt, but for those who are seeking relief of mind or body and hungering for the crumbs of comfort which we have the opportunity and ability to give them. It is possible, too, that the word of Truth rightly presented even to the unbelieving, may find unexpected lodgment and in time lead that one to become receptive to the divine idea revealed in the light of Christian Science, and to understanding the meaning of the words so dear to the heart of every Christian Scientist: "With God all things are possible."

When we realize that divine Mind gives to man intelligence and ability to do His work effectively, that Love casts out fear, and that we can do nothing of ourselves, then we shall be,—indeed already are,—able to give a testimony that is redolent with gratitude and unselfishness, tempered by wisdom, and convincing because of its spontaneity and sincerity.

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