If a visitor to a Sunday service in a Church of Christ, Scientist, or a newcomer to Christian Science is tempted to consider the claims of healing embodied in the Lesson-SermonIn the Christian Science Quarterly. with skepticism, his doubts should be answered by the Wednesday evening testimony meeting three days later, which provides an important confirmation of the word of the Lesson-Sermon by witnessing to present-day works—accounts of Christian Science healings that are based on Christ Jesus' teachings and example.
Even committed Christian Scientists often need to grow into an enhanced appreciation of the significance of the Wednesday meeting. Initially, when getting started in my business affairs, I largely ignored this midweek service, even though I had the good example of my wife's regular attendance. Later I managed to go more often, but treated it more as a duty under the bylaws governing our branch church than a love-inspired act. Some years later, however, our church held an inspirational meeting that gave me a clearer insight into how the testimonies on Wednesday evidence the completeness of the Church of Christ, Scientist—bringing out the word of the Lesson-Sermon with its healing effect on Sunday and the testimony to the actual works, or proof, on Wednesday. Thereafter I wanted to have a part in that completeness, and it was natural to attend.
Of course there may be times when attendance on Sunday or Wednesday is not possible. And if this should occur, we don't need to feel that we lack love for God or for Christian Science healing. Nonattendance does not make us liable to some kind of penalty any more than attendance automatically confers some benefit. Yet regular attendance is good spiritual discipline. It strengthens us and our churches.
