Article September 30, 1922 Issue

Testimony Meetings

MABEL CONE BUSHNELL

When we invite guests—a comrade in thought or a weary traveler along the road—to a meal in our home, as we all like to do, we prepare in advance the meal for that guest, that he may be refreshed in a normal way. Many times, if we know of a liking that he has expressed, we make an especial effort to see that this particular thing is served; and thus we express a sense of appreciation or affection. How vital, then, that in our church membership we shall not fail to prepare in advance the feast for our Wednesday evening meetings.

The active Scientist, doing his church work rightly, is of course alert to this fact; but the arguments are many and varied, and seem so real, which would prevent his either preparing or serving loving refreshment to his fellow-man. One of the most specious arguments is the thought that we must leave the meeting open for the beginner to express his gratitude, or for the visitor, or for the stranger, that he may have an opportunity to speak. Now, this has a pleasing sound and is most lovingly meant; but do we usually ask our guests beforehand to bring their own dinner? When the work is rightly done, will not the guest be given ample opportunity to add his offering to the feast, if from the fullness of his own plenty he has brought a contribution? So many times have our workers found that when they went to the meeting carefully prepared to feed the hungry, they were able to keep their own offering until some other time when it was more needed, as the testimonies came in abundance; and unquestionably many of them were from the beginner, the visitor, and the stranger, who most lovingly and helpfully contributed to the feast. Nevertheless, it is for us to remember that we are the hosts, and as such must have our meal prepared.

An earnest Scientist, though desirous of doing her part to support the Wednesday evening meetings in all ways,—as she had promised to do when being admitted to membership in a branch church,—seemed to experience the inability to get up and express her gratitude for many blessings, because of an appalling sense of fright; and in one particular instance, when she wanted to tell of some demonstration that had come to her, she found Wednesday after Wednesday going by, and the same old arguments of fear presenting themselves. Finally, on one particular day, she sat down to analyze the situation in her own thought. The arguments were many: there would just seem to be glue on the seat—it would not be possible to rise; it would be impossible to face all those people; it simply could not be done; she would forget what she had wanted to say, or would not express it intelligently; she was not used to speaking in public—others were accustomed to it, why not let them do it? As the mental battle raged in this fashion, the Scientist began at the beginning to look these lions in the face. The seat was a perfectly good, inanimate piece of furniture; one could rise out of it, or sit down in it with ease. But mortal sense would try to weigh down a mounting thought, and make one feel the heaviness and inertia of earth-bound matter. That, however, could not be the case, if one saw the falsity of the argument; and no weary or heavy-laden sense could keep one from the joyousness of gratitude. So, the lion of ingratitude disappeared. and gratitude came in its place. Who were all those people one had to face? Why, simply those who were honestly, earnestly seeking light and understanding, and eagerly waiting for even a crumb of comfort from those who, in however small a way, had proved the heavenly Father's tender care. So, the lion of self-consciousness was replaced with a desire to give. Then, supposing she should forget? Mind is omnipresent and ever operative, and Mind never forgets. Perhaps, what she had to say was not nearly so valuable and helpful as what Mind would express through her when she was obedient to its demands. So, the lion of self-love was replaced with a better love for God and man. No, she was not accustomed to speaking in public; but all those eager hearts would recognize that fact, and not care if she did not turn out to be an orator: they would accept the honest desire, and the refreshment offered, even though humbly garnished. So, the lion of selfishness was replaced with selflessness; and a much calmer sense was experienced.

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