Each Christian Scientist might well ask himself, "When was the last time I invited a friend to a Wednesday testimony meeting?" Certainly attending that meeting is a unique and profitable experience. What other religion holds a meeting in the local community every week of the year so that testimonies of present-day healings based on the teachings of Christ Jesus can be heard? These testimonies are not academic discussions of some miracle that occurred two thousand years ago. They are living proof of the healing efficacy of prayer as demonstrated in our own community today.
Jesus knew that his teaching was of no value unless the truth of his statements could be proved. Many rabbis had expounded the Scriptures before Jesus did. Why did the multitudes throng him and not these men? Was it not because Jesus proved the practicality of his teachings? And in the ensuing centuries there have been many philosophers and theologians expounding the Scriptures. What was it that made Mrs. Eddy stand out as a great spiritual leader among them? Why did the people throng to hear her sermons? Was it not because she, too, healed? And when Mrs. Eddy was confronted with all manner of criticism and hatred for her teaching, she, like Jesus, simply turned to the healing proof. In speaking of Mrs. Eddy's work, one who knew her well stated, "Indeed, so revolutionary were her teachings that, had she not been able to offer proof of their truth, they would have seemed completely unconvincing." Twelve Years with Mary Baker Eddy by Irving C. Tomlinson, p. 46;
The Christian Scientist recognizes the importance of the testimony meeting to our Cause, for it stands as evidence that Christian Science does indeed heal.
