Wednesday Evening Testimony Meetings

HERBERT E. BONHAM

It was a Wednesday evening testimony meeting. The First Reader had just opened the meeting for "experiences, testimonies, and remarks on Christian Science" (Manual, p. 122) when a man seated in the front of the church arose and asked, "If Christian Science heals, why doesn't it heal tuberculosis?" He then sat down. The First Reader answered that Christian Science had healed tuberculosis and all manner of human ills, including so-called incurable diseases. He had hardly concluded this statement when a number of persons arose to testify to the healing power of Christian Science, and many of the testimonies given were of the healing of tuberculosis.

The man who propounded the question expressed a challenge, and the response was immediate and convincing. As he left the church he remarked to an usher, "I am now convinced that Christian Science does heal tuberculosis." His sincerity would indicate that he came to the church with an earnest desire to learn the truth. Every Wednesday evening "simple seekers for Truth, weary wanderers, athirst in the desert" (Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy, p. 570), come to our services. Are we giving them "a cup of cold water," so that they may never leave our churches unrefreshed and empty-hended?

The challenge above referred to brought forth sufficient proof to convince the questioner that Christian Science does heal. We invite suffering humanity to come to our services and share with us the blessings of Christian Science, but do we liberally provide a feast for them? We have a sacred responsibility. In the Manual of The Mother Church by our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, we find these words (Art. VIII, Sect. 24): "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)." Remarks on Christian Science have their place, and it is an important one, but nothing can take the place of testimonies of healing given by those who have experienced them. A simple testimony of healing in Christian Science, which, to the one relating it, may seem of small importance to anyone but himself, may be just the message which is needed to carry conviction to some other member of the congregation. No matter how haltingly a testimony of healing may be given, if given with sincerity it is an expression of gratitude, and its healing influence cannot be lost.

Mortal mind is challenging every Christian Scientist today to prove the efficacy of the teachings of Christian Science. When John sent two of his disciples to Jesus with the question, "Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?" Jesus told them to go and show John the things which they had seen and heard; how the blind had received their sight, how the lame walked, the lepers were cleansed, and the dead were raised. Jesus recognized that the most convincing proof he could give to John of his Messianic mission was fruitage. On page 496 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy says, "Your fruits will prove what the understanding of God brings to man." It is to learn of this fruitage that hungering humanity is drawn to our churches; and it was to satisfy this hunger that Mrs. Eddy established the Wednesday evening testimony meetings.

We have been richly blessed, and it is our duty, as well as our great privilege, to express our gratitude for the blessings we have received, by bearing witness to the healing power of Christian Science. We know that ingratitude would rob us of the joy of demonstration. Let us be careful that we do not allow it to rob us of the joy of obeying the command of our Way-shower, Christ Jesus, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."

Jesus was once met by ten lepers who said, "Have mercy on us." We are told that he bade them go and show themselves to the priests; and as they went they were cleansed. One only, when he saw that he was healed, returned to give thanks. To that one Jesus said, "Thy faith hath made thee whole." The ten were cleansed; one only "returned to give glory to God."

Let us watch that we do not hide our light under a bushel. Rather let us bring our tithes into the storehouse; and no matter how small they may seem to be, we can trust God to give the increase.

We have invited guests to share with us the joys of Christian Science; let us be sure that the feast is spread, and that we meet our guests with the true spirit of hospitality.

"O, when we see God's mercy
Widespread in every place
And know how flows the fountain
Of His unbounded grace,
Can we withhold a tribute,
Forbear a psalm to raise,
Or leave unsung one blessing,
In this our hymn of praise?"

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