One day during his college years, the writer was sitting in his study trying to compose a letter to a friend. It was a letter which he hoped would answer his friend's questions concerning Christian Science and prove conclusively to him the divine authenticity of this Science. After struggling unsuccessfully with his answers for about two hours, the writer laid aside the unfinished letter and prepared to attend the Wednesday testimony meeting in a branch Church of Christ, Scientist.
The meeting that evening was an inspiring, uplifting experience for him. As he listened attentively to the helpful readings from the Bible and from "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy and to the succeeding testimonies of healing from the congregation, these words of Isaiah suddenly rang in his thought (43:9): "Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: ... let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth."
The writer recognized in these words a graphic description of the weekly testimony meetings: the people are assembled, some are bringing forth their witnesses or proofs of the healing power of Christian Science, others are hearing, and still others are saying in honest judgment, "It is truth." As the writer gratefully pondered the Bible passage, he realized that it was the answer to his own need. Rejoicing, he returned home, and with ease and assurance completed the letter to his friend. In it he brought forth his indisputable witnesses— the many demonstrations of Christian Science healing experienced by his family through the years. The letter was very well received and launched his friend into an eager, rewarding study of this Science.
When the writer considers this experience, it is clear that the solution of his problem appeared only when he realized his need for bearing witness to the healing power of the Christ, Truth. All the intellectual effort he could have put forth in answering his friend's questions could not have accomplished what the healing experiences did when simply told. Since this incident the writer has had a much deeper insight into and appreciation of the purpose of testimonies of healing in their relation to the continued progress of the Christian Science movement.
With her rare intuition and practical foresight, Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, provided in the Manual of The Mother Church authorized avenues through which her followers could bring forth their witnesses through testimonies of healing. Thus they can present to the world an irrefutable array of good works to substantiate the deific origin and spiritual destiny of Science.
Let us consider the portion of the Wednesday testimony meeting which is devoted to giving testimonies of healing and remarks on Christian Science (see the Church Manual, p. 122). When one gives a testimony, it is well to remember that sincerity speaks with an eloquence all its own. One need never be timid or fearful about expressing honest gratitude before others. He must know that the Christ-idea voices the sublimity and repleteness of Spirit; that the Word reveals itself. The Word is always prepared.
One who is inspired by the Word does not ramble, but is concise and clear. His testimony is never mediocre or insufficient, for he knows that the Word exists at the standpoint of fulfillment and perfection. His speech is not stilted, but is natural and flowing. He is not emotional, for he reflects the sensitivity of Soul, the control of Principle, the self-containment of Truth. The Word is never a target for the criticism or animosity of the carnal mind. Indeed, the Word reveals no material mentality. It evidences the unlabored energy of Mind, acting through spiritual laws.
The writer well remembers his first testimony on a Wednesday evening many years ago when he was a young boy in grammar school. He was so desirous of sharing with the congregation a beautiful healing in his family that his earnest desire to give to others broke the mesmerism that would have kept him seated. Before he realized it, he was on his feet and speaking. In this instance, his fervent desire to share was prayer itself, and it accomplished a quick reversal of the fear in his thought.
Endeavoring to express the spirit of Christ, the testifier learns to subjugate the belief of a corporeal selfhood, that little personal "I" which strives so to be heard. The student of Christian Science knows that there is only one Ego, divine Life, or Mind, and he listens receptively to hear the divine message and to express Mind. Christian Science makes it clear that there is but one Ego, infinite individuality, omniactive Mind, causative consciousness. Man reflects this Ego.
The ability to give a fine, healing testimony results from one's bearing witness to the one Ego and claiming no other Mind or selfhood apart from God. Identification of one's real selfhood as a reflection of the one Ego exalts inspiration. This identification replaces timidity with spiritual command, enabling one to speak with perception and dominion and also to write with proficiency and confidence. It destroys the insidious belief of inherited physical traits or talents and reveals man's glorious inheritance of Mind's ideas.
Childlikeness and spontaneity, as well as self-surrender, are needful, God-derived qualities in testimonies as are the radiant sense of brotherhood, charity, and joyful companioning with good. In reality, there is never a moment when the son does not bear witness to the Father, for Mind embraces its reflection eternally. Through the acknowledgment and demonstration of the fundamental verities of being, we can expect and enjoy continued growth and enrichment of our Wednesday meetings.
Whoever humbly desires to break the bread of his blessings with the world can avail himself not only of the privilege of testifying at Wednesday testimony meetings, but also of another opportunity provided by Mrs. Eddy: that of writing testimonies for the Christian Science periodicals. In taking advantage of this sacred privilege, one will always find it wise to meditate earnestly upon the qualities of gratitude, joy, and spiritual love before taking up the pen. Let one write naturally from the heart without the negative arguments of inability, reticence, or fear of rejection. Let him realize that the divine Mind is capable only of perfect expression and is competent to unfold its own intelligent ideas, complete in the statement of its own infinitude.
Approaching this task with meekness, thankfulness, trust, and consecration, one feels that he is truly walking on holy ground. Inspiration and coherence are seen as elements of the one productive Mind.
In the preparation of a written or a verbal account of healing, one should devote careful thought to the qualifications for testimonies set forth by Mrs. Eddy in the Manual (Art. VIII, Sect. 24): '"Glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's' (St. Paul). 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). This testimony, however, shall not include a description of symptoms or of suffering, though the generic name of the disease may be indicated. This By-Law applies to testimonials which appear in the periodicals and to those which are given at the Wednesday evening meeting."
It is interesting to note that this By-Law appears under the heading, "Discipline." We can see, then, that the giving of testimonies, either written or oral, is an indispensable part of the spiritual disciplining whereby thought is brought into conformity with God's requirements. Thus it follows that an unwillingness or reluctance to bear witness to the blessings of divine Love is a form of disobedience and is to be overcome in the way we overcome any other erroneous claim of error. The above By-Law, then, governs all members of The Mother Church.
Are we all sufficiently alert to the need for bringing forth our witnesses? When John the Baptist sent messengers to ask Christ Jesus if he was the promised Messiah, Jesus did not attempt to answer the Baptist's question through intellectual reasoning and elusive argument. The Master simply brought forth his witnesses by citing his incontestable works. Jesus spoke often of his works, for he knew that they verified his doctrine. He said (John 10:25), "The works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me."
Mrs. Eddy says in "No and Yes" (p. 46): "The question now at issue is: Shall we have a practical, spiritual Christianity, with its healing power, or shall we have material medicine and superficial religion? The advancing hope of the race, craving health and holiness, halts for a reply; and the reappearing Christ, whose life-giving understanding Christian Science imparts, must answer the constant inquiry: 'Art thou he that should come?'"
This question is being answered constantly by the testimonies of healing and regeneration which are spoken and written by those whose hearts are filled with gratitude for Christian Science. In the provision in the Manual for testimonies, our beloved Leader gives us an effective tool for the tender persuasion and spiritualization of mankind. May we use this tool with fidelity, inspiration, courage, loving-kindness, and humility.
To his disciples in all ages, the Master said (Matt. 5:16), "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Let us be obedient. Let us bring forth our witnesses!
