GIVING TESTIMONY

H. J. BRADSHAW.

The Wednesday evening meetings were established by our Leader that the public might have an opportunity to know of the benefits to be derived from the teachings of Christian Science. Much has been said in our periodicals by way of emphasizing the importance of our testifying to the good we have received from our study, and of bringing to the attention of all Christian Scientists their duty in this respect.

All who study our text-book, be they beginners or advanced students, must remember that they have a specific duty in the matter,—that of giving testimony to the beneficent influence of Christian Science in their daily experiences. The writer has heard many express their reluctance to testify at these meetings, and yet any one of these people, if met by an inquirer outside of the meetings, could and would give many convincing proofs of the efficacy of Christian Science for both physical and mental disturbances. Now let each ask himself why this unnatural reluctance to share with the multitude? Are we to sit in our seats and leave the table bare? or should we bring such a feast of good tidings that every inquirer, every suffering or discouraged visitor, may go away satisfied that here at last is a solution of his problem, that here is a practical religion which will help one to be a better individual,—a better father, mother, brother, or sister as the case may be?

More than this, we can look over our daily experiences and find many examples of our improved thinking—the overcoming of fear, envy, anger, hate, doubt, and despair. We must also bear in mind the words of our Leader (Science and Health, p. 384): "The prophylactic and therapeutic (that is, the preventive and curative) arts belong emphatically to Christian Science," and feel that we have much to thankful for in the protection that this improved thinking has afforded us. Then, too, we must not measure our demonstrations, for no thing is small if done by more closely following God. What person would say that the example "one and one are two" is an insignificant use of mathematics, just because this same digit if followed by six ciphers amounts to a million? Any one who has had books to balance will tell you that many times the search for this smallest of the digits has long delayed the closing of a set of books, and was as important in this detail as though a million dollars had been involved.

Then, too, we ought to bear in mind that we ourselves are benefited by giving testimony. Every one who has risen to his feet and borne testimony and given thanks to God for the good received, can feel that he is thereby strengthened, for he has given to the world a word of cheer. Our Leader encourages us when she says: "Millions of unprejudiced minds—simple seekers for Truth, weary wanderers, athirst in the desert—are waiting and watching for rest and drink. Give them a cup of cold water in Christ's name, and never fear the consequences" (Ibid., p. 570), and Peter admonishes us to be always ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us. This is the intention of the mid-week meetings,—to give to the world a reason for the hope that is in us, that mankind may be lifted above their misconceptions of God (which have resulted in the many phases of sicknes and sin), into the truth about Him that heals and saves.

It is a privilege as well as a duty, of which each should avail himself, to add our testimony to the great mass that is going out at each of these meetings, well knowing that we ourselves are enriched by all we do in the service of God and His Christ.

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THE TRUE CONSCIOUSNESS

March 19, 1910

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