Our Wednesday evening testimony...

Helen F. Vaniman

Our Wednesday evening testimony meetings not only afford occasion to pay a tribute to God and to our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, but they also provide opportunities to share our blessings. A splendid example of this was furnished some time ago when my family and I were in Cape Town, South Africa, waiting for our ship to bring us home to America.

Shortly before we sailed, we attended a Wednesday evening meeting at the little church in Cape Town. That evening a young seaman rose, and gave a most inspiring testimony. He said that on his way to Cape Town, a few weeks before, word was given out on the ship that a submarine had been sighted and that all should stand in readiness. The seaman, being very young in years and experience, said he felt at that moment frightened to a point of collapse. Then he remembered that he professed to be a Christian Scientist, and saw that here was his opportunity to make full proof of the teachings of Science. He declared the allness of God so definitely and denied the presence of fear so confidently that his composure was restored at once, and within a few moments a haze completely enveloped their ship, enabling them to reach their destination in safety.

The day my family and I sailed from Cape Town it poured with rain. The wind blew severely and the high Cape rollers tossed violently. This continued for two days. I was extremely ill and terrified. When I seemed at my lowest ebb, I remembered the testimony of the young seaman, and this gave me fresh hope. I then sat up and read aloud these words, which appeared in the Lesson-Sermon that week: "Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind." Well the Psalmist knew that whatever the need may be there is God in all His glory lighting the way, steering us safely into right paths.

I read and reread the above verses. Then I expressed gratitude to God for the work of the practitioner, who was helping us each day. With this change of thought born of love and gratitude came a sabbath consciousness, a period of spiritual rest in communion with God. I rose, dressed, and went down to dinner, which I enjoyed, and I was quite free during the rest of the trip.

The great blessing which I gleaned from this experience was that even though word had been given out on two occasions that, because of unusual disturbances upon the surface of the water discerned by those on watch, which resulted in a full-speed change of course and continuous zigzagging for many miles, no fear was expressed by a single passenger; and no evil came nigh us.

Those of us who have dear ones in the service, whether they be on land or sea, can trust them confidently to God's care, knowing that "the God-principle is omnipresent and omnipotent. God is everywhere, and nothing apart from Him is present or has power." Thus does our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy, assure us on page 473 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures."— (Mrs.) Helen F. Vaniman, Washington, District of Columbia.

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