Article December 30, 1939 Issue

Testimonies of Healing

ROSE L. BINGHAM

What a surge of gratitude wells up in our hearts when we reflect upon the divine wisdom which inspired our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, to establish the Wednesday evening testimony meetings! Christian Scientists bear witness to the fact that many times they have gone to these meetings sorrowful and heavy with suggestions of doubt, discouragement, or physical suffering, and have come away refreshed and strengthened; and in numerous instances they have experienced spiritual uplifting, and physical and moral healings during the services.

The Psalmist sang, "I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people." In the Manual of The Mother Church, Mrs. Eddy writes (Art. VIII, Sect. 24), "Testimony in regard to the healing of the sick is highly important." Following the order of service for the Wednesday meetings given in the Manual (p. 122), the Reader makes the following announcement: "This meeting is now open for experiences, testimonies, and remarks on Christian Science."

Are we alertly aware of the fact that the Wednesday evening testimony meetings are intended to convince inquirers and seekers that Christian Science heals, as well as to strengthen students of Christian Science? While the remarks and experiences are important, the strangers and visitors are usually eagerly waiting to hear of the healing of disease. A newcomer may be bearing a burden of fear, sorrow, or distress, and longing to be assured that there is something which will heal him. Definite statements of Christian Science healing should always be presented in our testimony meetings, so that the guests will depart convinced that those testifying have themselves experienced such healing. Frequently we have read of those who have attended our meetings and searched our periodicals in an effort to learn of a healing of the particular error with which they have been struggling. And experienced students of Christian Science are themselves uplifted and stablized by the testimonies of healing.

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