"O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy" (Ps. 107:1, 2). So sang the Psalmist. As the student of Christian Science gains, by degrees, a greater understanding of this Science, he also acquires an increasing appreciation of its Discoverer and Founder, Mary Baker Eddy. He recognizes more and more fully her tremendous spiritual achievement, not only in revealing the Christ, Truth, to us but in founding and organizing The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, with its many branches and activities throughout the world. He learns to evaluate the many facets of the work our Leader accomplished, ever discerning a little more of the immense wisdom and spiritual purpose which lay behind each decision she made, each activity she instituted.

Not the least of these provisions is the opportunity for testimonies at the Wednesday meetings in The Mother Church and all its branches, as well as in the Christian Science periodicals. Through these channels every student may share his unfolding experience with others. In the Manual of The Mother Church Mrs. Eddy states in part (Art. VIII, Sect. 24): "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)." Thus it becomes evident that our Leader's intention was for the student who has already experienced something of the wonderful healing and regenerating effect of Christian Science to scale "the pinnacle of praise" by sharing his experience with those needing encouragement and healing.

In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy writes (p. 574), "The very circumstance, which your suffering sense deems wrathful and afflictive, Love can make an angel entertained unawares." Most students of Christian Science have the priceless experience of realizing that what seems an unhappy and discordant condition always provides an opportunity for further demonstration of the activity of divine Love. No untoward condition need be without its angel message, even though this angel may at first he "entertained unawares." We read that when Jesus had faced and overcome the temptations of the devil, "angels came and ministered unto him" (Matt. 4:11).

Angels, we learn in Christian Science, do not appear as etherealized human beings, but as spiritual intuitions from God, leading thought ever upward and away from the woes of mortal sense. These spiritual messengers, however, are not exclusively for any one student, though they meet each specific human need. Being spiritual impartations of infinite Love, they are always impartial and universal.

Having received the blessing imparted by these angel messengers in some healing or restorative experience, each Christian Scientist has the duty and privilege of sharing the experience with others, so that in turn their suffering sense may feel the rich balm of spiritual peace. An opportunity to do this is provided by the giving of testimonies. It is unnecessary—for the most part impossible—for the one sharing his angel experience in this way to know how far and in just what way this action may help another. He can be sure, however, that it does so in proportion to his sincere desire to scale "the pinnacle of praise," and that it will extend its influence in ever-widening circles.

Sometimes the testifier is rewarded by learning of a specific result of his testimony. A lady who was visiting England from Australia related to a friend of mine a testimony she had heard in a Church of Christ, Scientist, in London, about fifteen years previously. She remarked that she had found it helpful at the time and had, in the intervening years, used it to help others. The friend recognized the incident and later introduced me to the visitor, explaining that I was the one who had given the original testimony. Thus, when the "wrathful and afflictive" circumstance which had given rise to the testimony was almost forgotten, I was privileged to share again in the universal blessing of gratitude expressed.

On another occasion, as a result of a testimony published in the German edition of The Herald of Christian Science, a German woman wrote and thanked the testifier. A pleasant correspondence ensued, during which this woman revealed her great desire to go to England so that she could become more familiar with English and thus study Science and Health in its original language. She asked for no specific help, but expressed her deep conviction that her heavenly Father would grant her righteous desire. Later it became possible for the testifier to arrange for her to obtain a position in England, thereby qualifying her for residence in that country. It is noteworthy that the subject matter of the original testimony bore no apparent relation to the demonstration of divine unfoldment which came into the German woman's experience. This fact alone shows the infinite versatility of Love's angels and the cumulative effect of gratitude shared.

A study of the By-Law previously quoted from the Manual makes it clear that the type of testimony envisaged by our Leader was one which has as its message the glorifying of God. She continues, "This testimony, however, shall not include a description of symptoms or of suffering, though the generic name of the disease may be indicated." Emphasis on details of disease or suffering may trouble a human consciousness sensitive to erroneous suggestion, whereas a simple, clear illustration of the healing power of the Christ, with a brief indication of the prayerful metaphysical work involved, can be shared with certainty of blessed results.

One student finds it helpful to remember that the Wednesday testimony meetings are always under the control of divine Mind. Praying in the words of David (Ps. 19:14), "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer," he finds himself free from uncertainties. He knows that so-called mortal mind has no power to interpose doubts between the desire to give a testimony and the carrying out of the desire. He gives thanks that divine Love is present to feed the hungry hearts with what they need. When this attitude of humble submission to God's will has been most sensibly felt, the most effortless testimonies have been given; and, moreover, it has left the student free to enjoy the other testimonies without preoccupation with his own.

Let us all be willing and obedient to take the opportunity of sharing our angel messages with others in order that, in the words of the Psalmist (Ps. 67:2), God's "way may be known upon earth" and His "saving health among all nations."