The Bible story of the woman healed of an issue of blood has been used innumerable times as an illustration of the potency of the Christly presence and the receptive qualities of faith. There is, however, a portion of this incident which may not have been, so thoroughly considered, although it contains a very helpful lesson for all students of Christian Science. According to the account given by Luke, the woman realized that she had been healed. She did not make herself known, but retired immediately into the crowd around Jesus and hid herself. However, at the Master's demand to know who had touched him, she came forward and acknowledged her healing with homage and gratitude. She then received the benediction such gratitude deserves (8:48), "Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace."

What were some of the human qualities that might have caused this woman to try to hide? She knew that she was healed, and following events proved that she was grateful; yet Jesus had to repeat his call, or inquiry, before she came forward. Could it have been a sense of self-depreciation which held her back? Could it have been fear of what the multitude would say, a sense of self-consciousness or timidity? In any event, she stepped forward and gave her testimony, thus publicly expressing gratitude for her healing.

At Wednesday testimony meetings in Churches of Christ, Scientist, throughout the world, when the announcement is read from the desk that the remainder of the time is to be devoted to testimonies of healing, is there not sometimes a tendency for one to hide himself? Is the announcement not a call to each one to tell publicly how he has been healed by God through His ever-present Christ? Undoubtedly a great many at a testimony meeting have, in some measure, touched the border of Christ's garment during the week and received healing. Should they not, therefore, like the woman of long ago, come forward and acknowledge the healing, no matter how small, and receive the benediction of the Christ, "Thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace"?

The importance and purpose of answering this call to testify is succinctly set forth by our dear Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, in the Manual of The Mother Church where she 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)." Because Mrs. Eddy stressed the importance of testimonies by including this statement in the Church Manual, it behooves all of her followers to make sure that the subtle beliefs of the carnal mind do not mesmerize them into a voluntary or involuntary disregard of the precious privilege of testifying.

What are some of the false beliefs that would deter one, and against which he must guard? Perhaps he is held back by the belief that he cannot express himself as well or as fluently as someone else. If this is the case, he need only remember that it is not a flowery speech or a great flow of rhetoric that is needed; it is not the well-turned phrase or the apt metaphor that is required. The simple, grateful telling of the touch of the Christ and of the healing which resulted is much more effectual. It is the simple, sincere statement which brings hope and courage to someone struggling with error.

If one seems to experience a sense of self-consciousness, he need only remember his true identity. Let him realize that, in his true being, he is the expression of divine Love. Thereby he will rid himself of personal sense, and fear and self-consciouness will disappear. This realization of true being allows one to relate the simplest healing with the sincere gratitude which brings the light of Love to all that hear.

Just how much time should elapse after a healing before a testimony relative to it is given is a matter of individual demonstration. In the case of the woman who touched his garment, Jesus required an immediate public acknowledgment, but in other cases he admonished those healed to tell no one. However, when this delay was required by Jesus, it was never put on the basis of timidity, doubt of the healing, or fear of recurrence. Let us realize what healing in Christian Science really means. All healing by the Christ actually evidences the revelation of the eternal perfection of God's likeness—man—even though this revelation appears to human thought as an improvement in matter or material conditions. It means that someone has touched the border of Christ's garment and perceived more fully the truth of being. As this truth dawns in consciousness, he will heed the call, "Who touched me?" and will not try to slip away into the crowd, but rather will openly acknowledge his healing.

In the sacred period reserved for testimonies, it is not wise to try to teach or admonish. This is a time devoted to the acknowledgment and praise of divine Mind; it is dedicated to the encouragement of someone seeking the Way. Most helpful, usually, is the relating of a definite healing, no matter how small, which lights the lamp of hope and courage. Needless to say, when one answers the call, "Who touched me?" and relates his own experience, this carries the full import of the works that prove the words.

It is related that after the woman of the Bible incident heeded the call, "Who touched me?" and came near to the Master to testify to her healing before all the crowd, she received his benediction. We should recall how often we have touched the hem of Christ's garment and been healed. When we hear the invitation at our testimony meetings to share our experiences, let us come forward and gratefully tell of our healings "before all the people" and thus receive the benediction, "Be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace."