After the ascension of Jesus the disciples, who had gone with him to Bethany, "returned to Jerusalem with great joy: and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God." Luke 24:52, 53; Christian Scientists today are experiencing the joy of discipleship in practicing the teachings of their Master. In the Wednesday testimony meetings held in Christian Science churches they love to praise God by giving testimonies of healing and redemption. In the Manual of The Mother Church Mrs. Eddy provides for these meetings and states: "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)."Man., Art. VIII, Sect. 24;
All students of Christian Science have wonderful healing experiences to recount, but sometimes they are deterred from testifying by the flood of negative arguments that would try to silence the good they could voice. No collections are taken at the testimony meetings, but the individuals who come can bring offerings of their gratitude and distribute them audibly so that all may be benefited.
As a new member of a branch church I had a great desire to make this form of contribution. Each week I would go to church filled with gratitude for the new joy and freedom that my study of Christian Science was bringing me and convinced that I could speak of them. But then error's lying insinuations, "Your voice isn't clear enough tonight," or, "Wait until you have studied more and have something more worthwhile to say," or even, "You don't look your best tonight; you can't stand up before all those people," would tempt me. Each time, agreeing with one of these false suggestions, I would conclude that this wasn't the right time to testify.
