Article October 6, 1928 Issue

Giving and Getting on Wednesday Evenings

WILLIAM R. RATHVON

It is an aphorism in Christian Science that the more of good you give, the more of good you get, which applies particularly to the proceedings of our Wednesday evening testimonial meetings. The thousands of helpful experiences and inspiriting cases of healing that are given weekly in over twenty-three hundred churches and societies scattered throughout the Christianized world, carry a bounteous measure of good to those who receive and an equal proportion to those who give.

Prior to September, 1898, weekly meetings were held on Friday evenings in the Christian Science churches then existing. Their nature and purpose were similar to that of our present testimonial meetings, of which our Leader has written: "Testimony in regard to the healing of the sick is highly important. More than a mere rehearsal of blessings, it scales the pinnacle or praise and illustrates the demonstration of Christ, 'who health all thy diseases'" (Manual, Art. VIII, Sect. 24, p. 47). On the date mentioned, Mrs. Eddy directed that these weekly gatherings be thereafter called Wednesday evening meetings, which has become their permanent designation.

It is safe to say that on every Wednesday night more than ten thousand recitals of healing, avowals of gratitude, and expressions of appreciation are heard in these midweek meetings. Their number may be accurately estimated, but no one can compute the amount of good they dispense. Not all of them are well phrased or measure up to rhetorical or even grammatical standards; but not one of them is barren when stamped with sincerity, permeated with humility, or actuated by unselfed love. The thoughts and motives that lie back of our words are often felt and remembered when our words themselves are forgotten. In the average testimonial, sincerity, humility, and love far outweigh mere eloquence, vehemence, or exuberance. This, however, should not deter us from endeavoring to make our every testimonial the best we can give in point of expression as well as of intent.

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