AMONG the many evidences of God's presence and power which were witnessed by the Israelites in wanderings, the crossing of the Jordan was one of the greatest. There is no very elaborate account of the event,—only the facts in the case are given, as if it were the most natural thing in their experiences, so long as they followed the ark. In order, however, that the event might never be forgotten, Joshua commanded twelve picked men to take twelve stones from the river bed where the priests had walked when they carried the ark over on dry ground. These stones they were to carry on their shoulders until they came to a stopping place, and there they were to erect a memorial to the loving protection of God, which would serve as a reminder to later generations "that the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord."

It was thus by unspoken, as well as written or spoken testimony, that the children of Isreal were to be convinced that there was only one supreme power adequate rightly to meet every human emergency. In a no less degree, this is still true. Without undervaluing, in the slightest, verbal testimony to the efficacy of Christian Science healing, there is great need always for living witnesses among the adherents of Truth, who can be seen and known at all times.

Every Christian Scientist knows and appreciates the inspiring and often uplifting sense to be derived from attendance at a Christian Science Wednesday evening testimony meeting. The unquestioned sincerity and truth-carrying conviction of the testimonies cannot fail to impress the listener; but there is also in every one of these meetings the unspoken testimony,—the audience itself. Joshua's purpose in placing the memorial of stones near the Jordan was that the passer-by might be interested to ask, "What mean ye by these stones?" In like manner, the observer who for the first time attends a Christian Science mid-week meeting cannot but ask himself, What means this interested audience? With very few exceptions, those who attend a Christian Science service do so for one of the following reasons. Either they themselves have been healed through Christian Science; they have seen some one else healed, have read of a case of healing, or in some way have come in contact with a case so convincing that they are interested to investigate or to study Christian Science, in order that they may apply or practice its teachings. The presence of all these persons at such a time, therefore, constitutes a remarkable unspoken testimony to the power and efficacy of Christian Science as a healing agency. Every Christian Scientist who attends the regular Wednesday evening meeting, even though he does not give verbal testimony, yet really does testify by being present; and while no opportunity should be lost to voice the truth and to give the spoken testimony, nevertheless the responsibility to help swell the audience rests upon all who wish to advance the Cause of Christian Science. How often is it recorded in the gospels that because of "seeing the multitudes" some one sought Jesus and went away rejoicing, healed and redeemed. It was "the multitudes" that first attracted many a person who afterward became a follower of the Master.

Frequently, error presents to our consciousness some seemingly excellent excuse for not attending a testimony meeting. At such times, the following story may prove helpful. Once, when Henry Ward Beecher was lecturing against slavery, he was scheduled to speak in the capital of a southern state. In great indignation the legislative body met and passed a unanimous resolution that not a member of that body should attend the lecture. Then each member, supposing the rest would not be there, went. Suppose each Christian Scientist in a community should assume that he would not be missed if he remained at home what would become of the unspoken testimony?

Those who have attended a Thanksgiving Day service in The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, can realize the impression made by the vast audience. Among the perhaps five thousand who attend this service, very few are there from curiosity; the audience is composed of those who have actually experienced the healing power of Truth, through the teachings of Christian Science. It is probable that nearly every one present would like to give a verbal testimony if time permitted; but in the short period allotted to this part of the service it is not possible. The entire audience, however, does give a testimony by its very presence and magnitude. It is the unspoken testimony of a great throng of people, grateful for God's healing power, manifested to-day as when Christ Jesus was on earth. Like the stones set up by Joshua, the very edifice itself testifies to the practical value of Christian Science to heal the sick and redeem the sinner. In her address to those who witnessed the laying of the corner-stone of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, May 21, 1894, Mrs. Eddy said in closing: "Let me say, 'Tis sweet to remember thee, and God's Zion, with healing on her wings. May her walls be vocal with salvation; and her gates with praise!" (Miscellaneous Writings, pp. 145, 146.) How beautifully has this prophecy of The Mother Church building been fulfilled in its unspoken testimony to all who behold it!

Twelve years later, in an editorial in the Christian Science Sentinel, referring to the dedication of the extension of The Mother Church, there was published the following: "But within our sacred edifice there came a deeper feeling, a feeling of awe and of reverence beyond words,—a new sense of the magnitude of Christian Science,—this revelation of divinity which has come to the present age. Grandly does our temple symbolize this revelation, in its purity, state-liness, and vastness; but even more impressive than this was the presence of the thousands who had come, as the Master predicted, 'from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south,' to tell by their presence that they had been healed by Christ, Truth, and had found the kingdom of God."

When John the Baptist sent two of his disciples to Jesus with the inquiry, "Art thou he that should come?" the Master's answer was, "Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached." Christ Jesus thus pointed out the works of God as the unspoken testimony in proof that he was the Messiah. It was not enough for men to hear; they must also see those who had been healed, before they could give to John the Baptist convincing proofs that they had seen the great demonstrator of the Christ. In like manner to-day, the honest seeker after Truth needs to see the radiant faces of those who have been healed through Christian Science; and no one who attends a Wednesday evening testimony meeting can be otherwise than impressed with the joy that is manifest in the countenance of nearly every one present. To the doubting inquirer or skeptic, here are pertinent questions to be answered: "What mean ye by these stones?" What mean the great audiences in the Christian Science churches in the cities and towns throughout the world? How do these wondrous cures come about without the help of materia medica? Why the joyous expressions on the faces of all true Christian Scientists? The answer is simple; and it was spoken by "the most scientific man" (Science and Health, p. 313) who ever walked among men, Christ Jesus, the Way-shower: "And these signs shall follow them that believe," even the unspoken testimony to the omnipresence of God, made manifest through the teachings and practice of Christian Science.

Copyright, 1923, by The Christian Science Publishing Society, Falmouth and St. Paul Streets, Boston, Massachusetts. Entered at Boston post office as second-class matter. Acceptance for mailing at a special rate of postage provided for in section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized on July 11, 1918.