In moments of seeming gloom sincere seekers for Truth have clung to the comforting words in the forty-third chapter of Isaiah, "Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine." Many, through Christian Science, have caught a glimpse of the spiritual heritage which is theirs and have gained refreshment from the following words in the same chapter: "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour."
These comforting words, understood in the light of Christian Science, have resulted in healings. Quite naturally as the outgrowth of such experiences the desire comes to the Christian Scientist to bear witness to God. He longs to fulfill that obligation which the prophet states as God's requirement of His people: "Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he." Is not this God's holy purpose: that we witness to His presence and power?
Mary Baker Eddy points out the obligation of bearing witness to God in the Manual of The Mother Church, under the heading "Testimonials." There she writes (Art. VIII, Sect. 24): "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)." She provides for Christian Scientists the opportunity to testify at Wednesday meetings and to have testimonies published in the Christian Science periodicals.
