Article April 15, 1950 Issue

NEEDFUL TO SAY

ELIZABETH PRATT RICE

How often at a Wednesday testimony meeting one hears the phrase, "Needless to say, I was healed." Although this phrase may quite properly express the thought of the testifier, it is well to remember that one reason for testimony meetings is the fact that it is needful for Christian Scientists to say that their religion is a practical, demonstrable one, which brings healing today as surely as in the time of Jesus and the early Christians.

Mary Baker Eddy writes in her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 372), "In Christian Science, a denial of Truth is fatal, while a just acknowledgment of Truth and of what it has done for us is an effectual help." Obviously, there are many opportunities for giving "a just acknowledgment" of Truth's efficacy in healing the sick, reforming the sinner, and redeeming mankind from every seeming woe. Our wise Leader has provided the congregations of Churches of Christ, Scientist, with one such opportunity every Wednesday during the period when testimonies of healing are invited by the Reader, according to the Manual of The Mother Church by Mrs. Eddy (p. 122).

It may not always seem easy to rise to our feet and testify to the blessings received through the study and application of Christian Science. But the Psalmist admonished us centuries ago (103:2, 3), "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases." Perhaps the subtle voice of error whispers to us that we don't look our best tonight, or that we haven't made any demonstration worthy of being recounted publicly. Mrs. Eddy, wisely foreseeing the possibility of error mesmerizing us into silence, warns us against reluctance to acknowledge that we have yielded to the touch of Truth in the words (Science and Health, p. 450), "But unless this admission is made, evil will boast itself above good."

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