It is recorded in Mark's gospel that upon a certain occasion the Master came into the country of the Gadarenes, and was there confronted by one who, being insane, dwelt among the tombs, and was so uncontrollable that no one could bind him, even with chains. Jesus, however, seeing the extremity of his plight, commanded the evil beliefs to come out of him and to enter no more into him. Thereupon the afflicted one was immediately restored, and sat at the feet of Jesus, "clothed, and in his right mind." He afterwards requested of Jesus that he might remain with him, but the Master "suffered him not," asking him to go home to his friends and to tell them what great things the Lord had done for him. The Gadarene departed, and began to publish in Decapolis the good tidings of his healing.

The keynote of Jesus' ministry of healing was the destruction of all ungodlike thinking, in order that his Father and our Father might be more abundantly and completely glorified, and His kingdom established on earth. Hence he knew, as no one else has ever known, that the healing of sin and sickness through spiritual understanding clears one's vision to see and understand God still better. In acquainting ourselves with God, health (holiness) is being gained, and we apprehend that which was prophesied of John the Baptist in his mission of preparing the way for a fuller realization and expression of the Christ, Truth,—"To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins."

Certainly the Master, with his wondrous compassion, tender love, and patient forbearance, healing all manner of diseases as he went up and down through Judea, not only was publishing this "knowledge of salvation" but was likewise giving the people unmistakable proofs of its efficacy and surencess. And in showing them the things of God, His name was being exalted in thought, praise being given where it rightfully belonged. The most convincing and far-reaching testimony of which we have any record was the one which occurred when two of the disciples of the Baptist came to Jesus inquiring as to the verity of his works; and he answered, "Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up." He gave no lengthy disquisition as to his method of healing; nor was there timidity or reluctance to withhold the true facts of his divine mission. Just a plain, sincere, truthful reply to the questioning thought, which was uncertain as to whether this was really the Messiah. And this healthful message of salvation has been ringing down the centuries, feebly heard, and at times scarcely comprehended at all, until the advent of Christian Science, through which the same mighty works are again being accomplished by the utilization of the understanding of the allpower of God, good, to nullify and destroy every mental activity which does not measure up to the standard of the divine requirements.

Mrs. Eddy, after her wonderful recovery of health through spiritual means from an accident which a physician had said would be fatal, did not rest satisfied with a selfish sense of freedom, but devoted three years thereafter to the prayerful study of the Bible, that she might find a positive rule—the spiritual law of healing—which would be available and applicable for overcoming every phase of discord. Having found and demonstrated it for herself and many others, she published "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," elucidating the Science of Mind-healing, that every one might be able to prove it for himself, as she had done for herself, and, accordingly, reap the benefits of her great discovery. Indeed, so imbued and impelled was our beloved Leader by love for humanity in founding the Christian Science movement, that she incorporated in the Manual of The Mother Church the following (Art. VIII, Sect. 24): "'Glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's' (St. Paul). 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.'" Is it not clear, then, that every testimony meeting held in a Christian Science church is another opportunity to "go and shew" not only the waiting eager thought, but the mentality which is doubting the credibility of the witness for Truth, that the verity of Jesus' words to John's disciples is being realized and demonstrated to-day, and that God is being glorified through this righteous unfoldment and transformation?

In the light of this glorious process of publishing the truth of God's redemptive presence and power to save, the student of Christian Science understands it is not only a priceless privilege, but a duty he cannot lightly put aside, to be obedient to the By-law just mentioned, and meekly, lovingly, and freely give of his experience, that those with ears to hear may receive the welcome news, and be helped and blessed. We may not know the motives which actuated the one healed of insanity, referred to above, when he requested that he might remain with the Master, but we cannot be blind to the teachings of Christian Science regarding the uncovering of humanly mental processes; and one can readily believe that the Master detected the Gadarene's unpreparedness to stand alone for Truth, and to face, perhaps, unjust criticism.

How often is it true that the beneficiary of healing through Christian Science is mesmerized by self-conscious fear; vague uncertainty as to what he should say, and whether he should utter at all what he had intended; apprehension as to whether his talk will be of any avail; and how he might be criticized for saying something unscientific, or not exactly in as well-worded sentences as others can speak; and the subtle yielding to the suggestion that when he is entirely healed (every false belief destroyed) he will then give his testimony! A student of Christian Science once said to another, who had been healed of more than one serious ailment, "We have never heard your testimony given publicly." The one addressed hesitated for a moment, then said, "No, I am going to wait until I am entirely healed." Does the lily cease to give out its pure, delicate perfume, even though it is not a perfect plant? Or the rose refuse its fragrance, even when trampled underfoot?

Gratitude expressed for what we have already received is the key which unlocks the innermost recesses of consciousness, and tunes thought in endless praise to Him who indeed healeth all our diseases and redeemeth our life from destruction. This is the rehearsal which angels attend and minister unto continually. There is never a testimony of healing in Christian Science, howsoever small from the speaker's point of view, that, if given in Christ's name and for the glory of our Father-Mother God, will not carry its message of salvation. How vitally essential it is, then, that we withhold not that which may be very helpful to some seeking, stormtossed heart. However specious the excuses may be, or however assiduously we may try to hide behind our false sense of self-depreciation and insufficiency, silence is not justified! The more convenient season may not be ours to command.

One has frequently heard at the close of a Wednesday evening meeting, "A fine meeting; was it not?" "Yes!" was the reply, "but I did not get from it what I had hoped. The testimonies were good; but I wanted to hear some one's experience that fitted mine." Ah! the testimony we should have given, but did not, was perhaps just what was needed to send this hungering one away better fed.

The withholding mesmerism which would deprive us of the opportunity to glorify God through testimony "in season, out of season" would also keep us from giving our unqualified, generous support to the periodicals of The Mother Church. So tenderly solicitous was our beloved Leader for our spiritual growth and maintenance, in cooperating for a wider distribution of the mighty healing truth of Christian Science, that she gave us in the Manual of The Mother Church a By-law, faithful and sustained obedience to which will ultimate in shedding abroad in the hearts of humanity a demonstrable understanding of scientific Christianity, until "the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."

"It shall be," Mrs. Eddy says in the first paragraph of Article VIII, Section 14, of the Manual, "the privilege and duty of every member, who can afford it, to subscribe for the periodicals which are the organs of this Church." Now Mrs. Eddy never asked her followers to do anything they could not do. Her every move in the foundational work of Christian Science was along God's grooves; and each move was a demonstration. No loyal student of Christian Science, therefore, whether a member of The Mother Church or of a branch church, or of both, can afford not to be a subscriber to these periodicals. Our Leader tells us in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 148) that the Rules and By-laws in the Manual "were impelled by a power not one's own, were written at different dates, and as the occasion required. They sprang from necessity, the logic of events,—from the immediate demand for them as a help that must be supplied to maintain the dignity and defense of our Cause." Hence every requirement promulgated in these By-laws is with divine intent and unction, and aids each student to apprehend more clearly the righteous unfoldment of government by divine Principle, and its present practicability to heal and save. Grateful and willing compliance with this By-law unquestionably strengthens our hold on spiritual realities, and intensifies our allegiance to the indissoluble relationship that exists between publishing and distributing. The orderly, allembracing scope of the Christian Science periodicals bears the impress of divine activity; and they are, indeed, fittingly prepared channels for carrying the healing message of Christian Science to earth's farthest confines.

Thus, the individual Christian Scientist as well as the committees, by their consecrated efforts in willingly subscribing to and wisely distributing these periodicals, are taking part now in the uplifting and redemption of humanity. It is their joyful privilege and pleasure to see these silent witnesses for Truth meeting the human need in every clime. Indeed, they are realizing that these heralds of peace, joy, and health are leading thought away from the bondage of materiality into the spiritual freedom of the children of God, thereby prophetically fulfilling Isaiah's comforting portrayal: "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!"

What an inspiration to every sincere follower of the Christ, who is gaining some realization of this portrayal, to know that each testimony given in a Christian Science Wednesday evening meeting, bearing witness to the healing power of Truth to free and bless, as well as every periodical of The Christian Science Publishing Society distributed and circulated, is in obedience to divine Love's compassionate appeal to that one of Gadara: "Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee"!

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.