Giving Testimony

A. LINCOLN ROTHBLUM

There is cause for gratitude that when Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, established the Wednesday testimony meetings and the Christian Science periodicals she made due provision for testimonials of healing. That she incorporated Section 24 in Article VIII in the Manual of The Mother Church is indicative of the importance she placed upon audible and written testimonials.

Whatever the nature of the demonstration, the healing furnished practical and positive proof that Christian Science is the remedial truth. Whether the healing be an instantaneous demonstration or a more protracted one, it is indubitable evidence of the power of the Word. Every such experience has contributed to the individual's spiritual growth and merits communication to others.

Among the arguments attempting to retard the giving of testimony may be a sense of one's being incapable of proper expression because of curtailed education, limited vocabulary, or halting speech. Such erroneous reasoning finds its counterpart in Bible history. It presented itself to the thought of Moses when he was directed by God to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt. When he voiced his belief of a lack of eloquence and of slowness of speech and tongue, he received the clear reassurance of the ever-presence and support of divine Love, "Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say." As encouragingly as it came to Moses, so today to the one desiring to give testimony comes this divine promise.

That Moses found the right words to speak to the children of Israel was proved in the ensuing divinely protected exodus from bondage. Moses had learned that God bestows strength, courage, and competency according to the need. He proved that God inspires the desire and the ability to speak right words, and found that his power to give utterance to his message was derived not from material preparation, not through human learning, but from divine inspiration. It was the demonstration of spiritual understanding of God's omnipotence and of man's perfection as His image and likeness. Mrs. Eddy writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 505), "This understanding is not intellectual, is not the result of scholarly attainments; it is the reality of all things brought to light."

While some students of Christian Science may be able to testify readily to blessings received through application of the truth, others, having much to share, may be deterred by a sense of inability to rise on the spur of the moment. Students consider it orderly and scientific when preparing for attendance at Sunday services to make ready in advance the contribution through which to express their gratitude and devotion to the Cause of Christian Science. By like token it may also be considered orderly and scientific to make ready in advance the contribution for the Wednesday testimony service, by preparing the thought regarding the healing to be related and the mode of expression. Silent contemplation of the divine verities quiets fear; and the anxious, frightened sense concerned about publicly sharing with others the good news of benefits experienced through Christian Science is allayed. The testimony made ready through prior prayerful meditation as to what is to be said and how it is to be expressed, will be found to have been worked out as a demonstration of wisdom and love.

No fear of criticism need deter the giving of testimony. It is helpful to know in Science that all are the loving and receptive children of the one Father. It is divine Love that inspires one to speak, and divine Love that prepares "the hearing ear." When the motivating desire to give testimony arises from meekness, gratitude, and selflessness, the testimony born of the heart wins its way to the heart of humanity. In an article entitled "Heart to Heart" in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 262), Mrs. Eddy comfortingly says, "When the heart speaks, however simple the words, its language is always acceptable to those who have hearts." Sincerity and genuineness, though clothed in the garb of simple, humble words, are replete with healing for everyone hungering for the Christ, Truth.

To every Christian Scientist longing publicly to rise in the strength of Spirit and give praise to God for His wondrous gift of the Science of being, there can come, as there came to Paul in the night at Corinth, the vision and the heartening exhortation, "Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: for I am with thee."

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Division and Multiplication

January 28, 1933

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