Christian Science healed me seven years ago, in San Diego, California, when in the last stages of consumption. I had previously spent a winter in Florida, and then, as my one last chance for recovery, I had been sent to the warm and equable climate of the Pacific coast. At the end of four months my last hope had failed, and the doctors said nothing more could be done for me. While in the depths of despair, a dear friend urged me to try Christian Science. I did so, and in a few months was healed. The last physician who examined my throat and lungs found a polypus in my nose. He advised me not to have it removed, as he said the operation would be followed by a hemorrhage which I was altogether too weak and nervous to endure. As time went on this growth became very troublesome, and I often felt as though there was an enormous weight on the bridge of my nose. One morning, about two and a half years ago, the first thing upon awakening, I began to try to fill my mind with good and beautiful thoughts, as I always have done since knowing of Christian Science. Soon a stoppage of the breathing through the nose, accompanied by the disagreeable pressure, reminded me of my trouble, and I began to reason within myself. I wondered why I had never been able to realize enough of the omnipotence and omnipresence of God to destroy that errror. While I was thus reasoning something gave away at the base of my nose and dropped down into my throat I sprang up, gave a little cough and the polypus came up into my mouth. Upon removing it I found it was nearly as large as my thumb. Christian Science is my panacea, and it does not fail me.
One Sunday morning, in getting ready for church, I decided to curl a few stray locks of hair which persisted in falling about my face. I placed a curling-iron over the gas to heat, while I turned to make other preparations. Shortly returning to the iron, I picked it up, and in my haste forgot to test its temperature. I took up a large lock of hair, and clasping the curling-tongs about it gave it a quick turn, when instantly there was a hiss, a flash, the lock of hair went up in smoke and the almost red-hot iron dropped across my wide-open eye and over my cheek. I did not cry out, but for a brief moment the sense of intense pain, coupled with the fear that I had permanently injured my eye, held me breathless. Immediately I began repeating the scientific statement of being, as given in our text-book, Science and Health, page 468. In a few minutes my sister came to the door and said, "We have decided not to wait for you. When you get ready you had better take a car." I replied cheerily, "Yes, you go right along; I will ride." I think all Christian Scientists will appreciate with what relief I heard them go out, for I knew I could manage the trouble much better alone. Several times I was tempted to remain at home, but I resolutely went on dressing, all the while getting a clearer sense of the scientific statement of being. Just as I started to get my hat, an indescribable sensation came to my face, and I knew that divine Love was meeting my need. When I went to the mirror to adjust my hat, I caught a glimpse of my face for the first time. The eye was red and seemed badly swollen, and the whole side of my face looked flaming red. I turned abruptly, tried to shut out the picture, and hastened out to catch a car. Upon reaching the church I decided not to go to the balcony, knowing my friends were there, but went into the main audience room, hoping that strangers would not notice me. The service was about to begin, and I was so thankful to get into that atmosphere of peace and love. The burning and smarting had wholly subsided, but there seemed to be a large obstruction in the eye which made the process of moving the eyelid very painful, while sharp pains were continually darting through the eye. I closed my eyes and tried to grasp all I could of the beautiful lesson on "Mortals and Immortals." When the fifth section was reached I suddenly realized that all pain had ceased. I opened my eyes, and could wink without the least irritation. When the service closed I was absolutely free from suffering. I left the church with a happy and thankful heart, fully appreciating the wonderful healing that had come to me through the reading of that remarkable Lesson. I waited outside for my friends, and the moment they saw me, one of them exclaimed. "What has happened to you?" I replied, "The demonstration is made; I am not suffering; let us not talk about it." Upon reaching home my sister said, "Your face is terribly burned, there is a large blister on the lower eyelid and one across the eyeball." Then we realized what a demonstration had really been made. Monday morning the eyeball was perfectly clear, and without one trace of the burn left. A faint red mark extended from the edge of the lower eyelid across the face for about two inches; and the last visible trace of that had entirely disappeared by the following Thursday night. The friend who lives with me said she could not believe such a demonstration possible, had she not witnessed it.
I hope I may be able to express something of the love which I have for God, for our dear Leader, Mrs. Eddy, and for all mankind.
