It would sometimes seem as though our individual relation to the Wednesday evening meeting was not fully appreciated by all. Even in a large church, where every moment should be crowded by expressions of gratitude, strange lapses have sometimes left a wondering inquiry in the mind of the visitor. Why the beaming faces, the smiling eyes, yet the silent lips? Are we unwilling to share our sublime secret with a needy world? We know the answer is in the negative; but the stranger within our gates does not know the eager beat of our heart which error bids to be dumb. He does not know of the numerous and seemingly logical arguments which strive to justify that silence, while he patiently waits for the word for which he came among us,—the healing message, the testimony which again tells of Christ's ever-presence.
On this subject, as on all others important to the stately development of Christian Science, our Leader has not left us in doubt. On page 518 of Science and Health she says, "Love giveth to the least spiritual idea might, immortality, and goodness, which shine through all as the blossom shines through the bud." On page 436 she says: "Giving a cup of cold water in Christ's name, is a Christian service. ... Such acts bear their own justification, and are under the protection of the Most High."
It therefore becomes clear that all honest efforts to testify to God's presence and goodness are already protected, that the Father cares for both the giver of the testimony and the testimony itself. No matter how poor and timid the words may be that quiver upon earnest lips, God has already given them a power which no merely human eloquence, however golden, can attain. The right desire that sought to throw off error's thraldom and in its frail way help to establish the kingdom of heaven on earth, could not return void, any more than drops of dew could fail to refresh some drooping bud. As the bud glistens through the dew, so will those trembling words find their way out into the world, and rest as a sweet hope on some weary life.
