Article January 31, 1942 Issue

"Testimonials"

RAYMOND D. HEINE

THE giving of testimony at the Wednesday evening meetings in Christian Science churches is esteemed both a duty and a privilege. In the Manual of The Mother Church under the heading "Testimonials" (Art. VIII, Sect. 24), Mary Baker Eddy cites Paul's ad monition, "Glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's;" and she adds: 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)." The By-Law in which these words occur will be found to contain also other wise counsel. The giving of a testimony is a privilege, in that it affords an opportunity for all to help others who may need healing or encouragement.

Students of Christian Science realize their need constantly to work and pray for divine guidance. Seeking to obey Jesus' Sermon on the Mount and the Ten Commandments, they receive the spiritual intuitions which come from the all-loving, all-wise divine Mind. As their dependency upon the divine intelligence is recognized, they gain courage and confidence, which overcome timidity and fear. Mrs. Eddy writes on page 454 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures": "Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way. Right motives give pinions to thought, and strength and freedom to speech and action." The understanding that there is no real influence except that which comes from the one omnipotent Mind, and that spiritual leading is for the highest good of all mankind, clarifies our thinking. Recognizing that neither self-love, self-righteousness, nor self-depreciation is a quality of Mind aids in our protection. When we look to divine Mind alone for guidance, the aggressive mental suggestion which would harm ourselves and others cannot influence us.

Christian Science illumines the Bible teaching that man, in the image and likeness of God, reflects his creator. There are not creators or gods many; there is but one God or Mind. Man, therefore, is the expression of God. Only by understanding that there is but one God, and that God made all that was made, can we apprehend our God-given ability to reflect Him. Knowing that we can originate nothing in and of ourselves, but that in our true selfhood we constantly reflect God, removes from us any false sense of responsibility. Then we more intelligently comprehend and express our divine inheritance. Keeping close to God, Truth, in our thinking, leads toward the true expression of spiritual qualities.

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