What Christian Scientist has not felt a thrill of spiritual joy and self-mastery when, in spite of fearful trembling, he has given a testimony at a Wednesday evening service! Perhaps for many months the desire to speak had been present with him, but fear had seemed to chain him to the seat. Slowly, but surely, the realization that gratitude to God is greater than fear impelled him to stand up and declare the manifold ways in which divine Love had met his needs.

One definition of testify is "to declare or make known freely or publicly." Who, more than the Scientist, could be eager to declare the wonders of God's love and His supporting influence in affliction and at all times? Mary Baker Eddy considered testimonies of healing so important that she included in the Manual of The Mother Church a By-Law pertinent to giving them. In Article VIII, Section 24, in terse and vigorous phrasing she states: "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)." Now the testimony which "scales the pinnacle of praise" ascends to the highest point, for the healing which is related shows forth the demonstration of Christ, or Truth. Frequent prayerful reference and obedience to this By-Law will assuredly dispel the illusions of apathy, selfishness, or fear.

How happily one Scientist recalls giving her first testimony! She had received a wonderful healing of a disease which, it was supposed, only surgery could cure. When a complete healing was realized through Christian Science, a great desire was felt to express her gratitude at the Wednesday service for the joy, strength, and revived interest in living which accompanied this healing. But to her the thought of speaking publicly before so many people was terrifying. After a protracted struggle to overcome fear and self-condemnation she rose and spoke briefly of her healing.

After the meeting a young woman told her that she was suffering from the disease mentioned in the testimony and asked, "Could Christian Science cure me, too?" She was eagerly assured that it could and would. The inquirer was directed to a practitioner, and soon was healed. What a satisfying recompense for the struggle to overcome fear, which had seemed so severe! The recollection of this happy meeting has often encouraged the student to rise above fear and speak of other instances of Truth's healing power.

On pages 390 and 391 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy appears the imperative command, "Rise in the conscious strength of the spirit of Truth to overthrow the plea of mortal mind, alias matter, arrayed against the supremacy of Spirit." How aggressively mortal mind seems to plead its case with the false witnesses of apathy, agitation, fear of failure, criticism, or reversal! Honest self-analysis will help the student to detect and reject these and any other errors which claim to prevent him from taking part in the happy and dutiful activity which renders due honor to God.

One who fears his education is insufficient for successful speaking should realize that it is unselfed love, the reflection of the divine, which inspires "the eloquence of praise," as a loved hymn declares. Instances, simply told, of divine Love's power to save from sin, sorrow, disease, and danger are more comforting than merely fine words and rhetorical phrases.

The thoughtful Scientist is wise and considerate in giving his testimony. He remembers that the subject of Christian Science may be entirely new to some who are present, and that listeners are in varying stages of spiritual growth, and so keeps his remarks within the bounds of propriety, modesty, and wisdom. Strangers in the congregation may be confused, or repelled perhaps, if he uses overmuch such a term as "claim" or "belief." The "demonstration of Christ" proves through spiritual understanding that sin, sickness, and sorrow have no place, power, or reality in true being. So far as one understands and applies divine law, these errors disappear, and restored health, harmony, peace, goodness, are the "signs following."

A Scientist attending the Wednesday evening service may, with profit, ask himself, Why am I here? His answer is: To witness to the healing truth! Through faithful attendance and audible praise to the Giver of all good he serves as a witness for the beauty of our Cause. His remarks and testimonies of healing refute the erroneous claim of animal magnetism that Christian Science does not heal.

One of the most touching incidents of Jesus' healing ministry is related in three of the Gospels. A woman suffering from a severe physical ailment which no physician had been able to cure, mingled with the throng surrounding the Master and his disciples. Sure of the presence of the healing Christ, she thought, "If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole." As she did so, the disease vanished. The pure consciousness of Jesus, imbued with divine Love, was instantly responsive to the mental appeal for healing. He evidently wished to speak a further word of comfort to such a receptive heart, for he asked, "Who touched me?" Then the woman, whose timidity and modesty had caused her to remain hidden, knelt, trembling, at Jesus' feet. She told him "before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately." Then followed Jesus' tender benediction, "Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace." Therein is a beautiful lesson for all. No one can tell how often this woman's example of moral courage, gratitude, and just recognition of the healing power of the Christ has blessed and encouraged mankind.

In "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" Mrs. Eddy defines the beauty, power, and holy purpose of gratitude. She writes (p. 164), "What is gratitude but a powerful camera obscura, a thing focusing light where love, memory, and all within the human heart is present to manifest light." The true Scientist knows that the light of Love—the Christ—is dispelling the shadows of evil in human consciousness. Sacred memories of sorrows healed, needs supplied, and Love triumphant over hate flood his thought with an impulsion of gratitude which breaks the bonds of fear. At the Wednesday service, which our Leader has provided, all are invited to share these heavenly blessings, and thus to comfort others. Given this holy opportunity, should we be silent? No, never!