A Remarkable Testimony

CAROLINE B. WINGERT

IN the ninth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew may be found an account of the healing by Christ Jesus of one "sick of the palsy." The record reads in part: "They brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. . . . Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. And he arose, and departed to his house."

Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, in an hour of dire need turned, as was her custom, to the Bible for inspiration and comfort. Opening the sacred pages to the ninth chapter of Matthew and reading this record of healing, she too arose, dressed herself, and from that time on enjoyed better health than she had previously known. Speaking of this experience, Mrs. Eddy has written in "Retrospection and Introspection" (p. 24): "Even to the homoeopathic physician who attended me, and rejoiced in my recovery, I could not then explain the modus of my relief. I could only assure him that the divine Spirit had wrought the miracle—a miracle which later I found to be in perfect scientific accord with divine law."

In pondering this healing, Mrs. Eddy discerned the mental nature of disease, and discovered the remedy to be spiritual awakening and regeneration, a putting off of the old man and a putting on of the new or real man. As a direct result of this healing, in due time Christian Science was founded, and today its movement encircles the globe, while its benefactors are to be numbered by the thousand.

Did the recorder of that healing in Matthew realize how far-reaching the account would be? Probably not! Do we today remember the importance of our giving testimonies? To be sure, our daily living, bearing witness to the truth, is the most effectual way of drawing men unto Christ, Truth; nevertheless, it is of vital importance to mankind that both audible and written testimony be given in their respective places. For thus any grateful individual may have his part in this important phase of our movement.

In the transitional period through which the world seems to be passing, as the old order of materiality gives place to the true concept of existence as spiritual, we find many who appear bewildered. Often as a last resort these heartsick strangers wend their way to a Christian Science church, hoping to find comfort and some assurance that life is worth while. What an opportunity for each and every member to reflect Love! Let us not be guilty of shifting our individual responsibility to other shoulders.

What a forward impetus our movement would experience were each and every member frequently to ask himself the following questions: If every other Christian Scientist were giving only what I am giving, would our church be fulfilling the purpose for which it was established? Would there be testimonies given at our Wednesday evening meetings? Would there be written testimonies in the place reserved for them in The Christian Science Journal and the Christian Science Sentinel? Would our periodicals be supported by healing articles supplied for their contents? An honest answer to these questions, a discerning of the right thing to do and the doing of it. should be helpful factors in our progress.

Too frequently is the suggestion listened to that until some outstanding demonstration is made it is best not to give audible or written testimony. A student many years ago proved the fallacy of any such argument. Attending a Wednesday evening meeting in which there was a long period of silence, this student was prompted to tell how Mrs. Eddy's words in the Preface to "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. xi) regarding "Immanuel, or 'God with us,' — a divine influence ever present in human consciousness," had been of inestimable help to her in caring for a family. Instead of the usual anxiety which accompanies the task of bringing up children, she had, much of the time, been aware of a quiet confidence that all was well because this "divine influence" was ever operating, guiding and protecting each member of the family. The testimony was brief, but given from the bottom of a grateful heart.

At the close of the meeting a mother came to the one who had shared this experience, stating that she had longed for the assurance that all was well with a child who had been for some time estranged from the home circle. With an earnest resolution in her heart to trust in that "divine influence," the mother who had come to that service weary and heavy laden, left the church with a song in her heart. Shortly after the releasing of the child in the mother's thought, word came that all was well; the estrangement was healed, and an entire family made grateful.

One simple statement of Truth which has been demonstrated is worthy of being shared, and may be the very crumb which will satisfy some hungry heart. Let us know that in the sharing of a healing truth nothing can stand in the way of its expression.

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Individual Preparation for the Lectures

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