Article March 31, 1923 Issue

The Unspoken Testimony

WALTER LINCOLN COLBY

AMONG the many evidences of God's presence and power which were witnessed by the Israelites in wanderings, the crossing of the Jordan was one of the greatest. There is no very elaborate account of the event,—only the facts in the case are given, as if it were the most natural thing in their experiences, so long as they followed the ark. In order, however, that the event might never be forgotten, Joshua commanded twelve picked men to take twelve stones from the river bed where the priests had walked when they carried the ark over on dry ground. These stones they were to carry on their shoulders until they came to a stopping place, and there they were to erect a memorial to the loving protection of God, which would serve as a reminder to later generations "that the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord."

It was thus by unspoken, as well as written or spoken testimony, that the children of Isreal were to be convinced that there was only one supreme power adequate rightly to meet every human emergency. In a no less degree, this is still true. Without undervaluing, in the slightest, verbal testimony to the efficacy of Christian Science healing, there is great need always for living witnesses among the adherents of Truth, who can be seen and known at all times.

Every Christian Scientist knows and appreciates the inspiring and often uplifting sense to be derived from attendance at a Christian Science Wednesday evening testimony meeting. The unquestioned sincerity and truth-carrying conviction of the testimonies cannot fail to impress the listener; but there is also in every one of these meetings the unspoken testimony,—the audience itself. Joshua's purpose in placing the memorial of stones near the Jordan was that the passer-by might be interested to ask, "What mean ye by these stones?" In like manner, the observer who for the first time attends a Christian Science mid-week meeting cannot but ask himself, What means this interested audience? With very few exceptions, those who attend a Christian Science service do so for one of the following reasons. Either they themselves have been healed through Christian Science; they have seen some one else healed, have read of a case of healing, or in some way have come in contact with a case so convincing that they are interested to investigate or to study Christian Science, in order that they may apply or practice its teachings. The presence of all these persons at such a time, therefore, constitutes a remarkable unspoken testimony to the power and efficacy of Christian Science as a healing agency. Every Christian Scientist who attends the regular Wednesday evening meeting, even though he does not give verbal testimony, yet really does testify by being present; and while no opportunity should be lost to voice the truth and to give the spoken testimony, nevertheless the responsibility to help swell the audience rests upon all who wish to advance the Cause of Christian Science. How often is it recorded in the gospels that because of "seeing the multitudes" some one sought Jesus and went away rejoicing, healed and redeemed. It was "the multitudes" that first attracted many a person who afterward became a follower of the Master.

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