THE prototype of the Wednesday evening testimony meeting was that memorable gathering in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, when the followers of Christ began speaking "with other tongues"—the language of Spirit—and bearing witness to the power of God, as demonstrated in the life and works of Christ Jesus, which, with the proofs of his resurrection, had given such abundant verification to his Messiahship. "With one accord in one place" these early Christians, we are told, spake "as the Spirit gave them utterance;" and the multitudes which assembled to hear them also gave silent witness to the truth, and marveled that they heard it, every man "in his own language."
When the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, began giving to the world the great facts of being which had been revealed to her, she found it necessary to make changes in the definition and capitalization of certain words, in order properly to express this new language of Spirit; for when the "signs following," like holy benedictions, began to come to those who understood its meaning, there had been no adequate way of bearing to the world individual witness of this newly revealed spiritual power. Gradually, then, there again developed a new tongue,—the language of those who healed the sick, and of those who bore witness to that healing. From these outpourings of gratitude and praise grew the present midweek testimony meeting, where everybody has the opportunity of stating some proof that Christian Science, rightly understood and demonstrated, heals the sick and reforms the sinner today, as it did under the ministrations of Jesus and his followers nearly two thousand years ago.
This open meeting, however, has been very wisely protected by our Leader. In accordance with the order of service for the Wednesday evening meeting, given on page 122of the Manual of The Mother Church, it is open only for "experiences, testimonies, and remarks on Christian Science." In this particular it is closely in line with what John, the beloved disciple, says in his first epistle: "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life . . . declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." Nevertheless, safeguarded as it is, for this meeting the widest possible range has been provided, and in the three most convincing ways in which proof can be given authoritatively,—by experience, by testimony, and by remarking upon what one has proved. Thus the Wednesday evening meeting becomes, indeed, the open forum of Christian Science, and as such is in keeping with the democratic spirit of the age. The significance of this proof-giving is indicated in the Manual of The Mother Church, which says (p. 47): "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' (Psalm 103:3)."
