Man is God's offspring, His witness and representative, the eternal expression of divine omniscience. Thus spiritual man, reflecting every quality of his immortal creator, eternally acknowledges the countless blessings bestowed by the one and only Father-Mother God. From the simple, "Thank you," of a child for human goodness received, to the heartfelt gratitude of an adult for deliverance from sickness, sin, and death, every expression of thanks is a step toward recognition of God, the Giver of all good.
In her writings our revered Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, refers to man as the ageless offspring of the Father-Mother God. We learn that it is the clear, peaceful, childlike vision that is needed, whether this spiritual vision is expressed by the eager spontaneity of a Sunday School pupil, by the serious enthusiasm of a college youth, or by the calm testimony of an adult.
Mrs. Eddy realized the importance and the necessity for the expression of gratitude by all, from those in early childhood to those of advanced maturity. In Sunday School the children are encouraged to relate instances of protection and to give God the credit. In many colleges, Christian Science Organizations are established in accordance with the Manual of The Mother Church by Mrs. Eddy, and the students hold meetings similar to the Wednesday testimony meetings held in all Churches of Christ, Scientist. During these meetings the college students testify to the solution found in Christian Science of past and current problems pertaining to studies and examinations, to injuries sustained in sports, personality clashes, financial difficulties, and to many other aspects of their daily life. The sincerity and outspoken gratitude of these young college students for blessings received through the application of Christian Science may well serve as an example to more mature church members who hesitate to testify in public.
The Wednesday testimony meeting, conducted in all Christian Science churches each week, is an important activity of the movement. It continually promotes the Cause, and it constitutes a missionary activity in a community. These meetings afford the members of the church and students of Christian Science an opportunity to express their gratitude in the presence of listeners, who will be blessed and uplifted thereby.
We must acknowledge man's freedom as a child of God and refuse to allow arguments of self-consciousness, fear, or lack of education to keep us in our seats. Then we shall be given the courage to stand and shall find the words to assure the friends and strangers within our gates that Christian Science blesses and heals. Mrs. Eddy tells us plainly in the Church Manual (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)."
In "Miscellaneous Writings" Mrs. Eddy-says (p. 1), "Humility is the stepping-stone to a higher recognition of Deity." This recognition must be expressed to prove its very existence. Humility keeps human consciousness open to the inspiration of God's thoughts, which are only good. Recognition of this good, which originates in divine Mind and comes to mankind through many channels, eliminates error of every kind, including the fear of not being able to express Truth. Truth finds expression in praise, brotherly love, and gratitude.
Man, God's image and likeness, is constantly expressing the attributes of God. Intelligent Mind, creative Principle, self-existent, all-protecting Love, Truth, knows no error and is always reflected by spiritual man. The alert Christian Scientist is calm and serene and is never hesitant to share with his fellow men the fruits of his demonstration of God's goodness.
Speech is a human method of expression, controlled by human consciousness. When talking, one should remember that if he sees his thought as truly under the government of the all-knowing, divine Mind, he will be directed and guided properly. This divine guidance will surely teach one how to control the body and its environment and how to express gratitude for blessings received. If there is constantly in one's thought the desire to spread the gospel, to further the Cause of Christian Science, to heal as Christ Jesus healed, then one may expect the lips and tongue to perform their function. The Master said (Matt. 10:20), "For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you."
Gratitude expressed orally opens the mental door for the reception of even more proof of God's abundant mercy. Recently a student of Christian Science expressed gratitude at a Wednesday testimony meeting for the overcoming of a minor disagreeable trait of character. He explained that his study of Christian Science and his daily prayer of petition to God and affirmation of truths of being had disclosed to him this undesirable trait.
Shortly after giving this testimony, the student discovered in a similar manner a more serious trait, a habit of dishonesty in his own behavior, which he had previously rationalized as quite justifiable. In setting to work to overcome this habitual characteristic, he realized that his earlier testimony of gratitude had aroused him to further self-analysis. In "Miscellaneous Writings" Mrs. Eddy states (p. 210), "Christian Science never healed a patient without proving with mathematical certainty that error, when found out, is two-thirds destroyed, and the remaining third kills itself." In this way, oral testimony helps the testifier as well as the listeners.
Self-consciousness means being conscious of mortal self and of the impression that this self is making upon other mortals. If we are humbly and honestly voicing our gratitude for the blessings of divine Love, the impression we make upon mankind cannot fail to be beneficial. It is the divine message that inspires. If we are conscious of the value of our testimony, assured of the healing power of the Christ, we shall feel the joy of delivering the message. Our sincere desire to praise God will be fulfilled, and the words will come. "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues." This prophecy and promise of Christ Jesus, as recorded by Mark (16:17), is being increasingly fulfilled throughout the world.
