The testimonials in our periodicals are helpful to all their readers and I also wish to tell what Christian Science has done for me. My home is in Indian Territory, and when I first came here people constantly exclaimed, "This is a fearfully malarious country," and the result was a continual fear of chills and fever. I became very ill finally, suffering for several years from attacks of malarial fever, which each year grew more severe, until I would not recover my strength from one attack to the next. It is quite impossible to describe my sufferings. I took medicine constantly, and was treated by several physicians, but failed to improve. Finally I became a complete wreck from nervous exhaustion and my friends did not expect me to recover. A friend then advised Christian Science, and I wrote a few broken lines to a practitioner for absent treatment. Her reply inspired me with hope, but she told me I must trust God and lay aside all material remedies. "Lay aside remedies!" What could she mean? I could not exist one day without drugs, I wrote. I implored her to help me, and told her I must continue my remedy for my nerves or I should die. She said that it seldom seemed wise to attempt to help one under such circumstances, but that she would try to open the door and admit the light. I did not improve perceptibly, and she then wrote me that I could not hope to receive divine help with a bottle of medicine in one hand, even if I reached out to God with the other. Then a fierce struggle began which lasted for days, but closed with a determination to follow the advice of the practitioner. With fear indefinable I tried to trust God without medicines. I found my first freedom from fear and long-continued insomnia by repeating this passage from the 91st Psalm, "He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust." I would sleep a few minutes, start up in abject fear, control myself, and by remembering that promise I slowly gained confidence until I could easily confide in God's power to save and to heal. Finally I comprehended the truth so that my fever abated, all symptoms of chills disappeared, and I was well, — completely healed! I have proved that the Christ-cure which opened the eyes of the blind and made the deaf to hear nineteen hundred years ago, is as certainly efficacious to-day, if we as humbly kiss the garment's hem, and believe. I had worn glasses for ten years, ever since my first severe attack of malarial fever, after which my eyes were pronounced defective. That error also is destroyed. My improvement has been gradual, and I wish to make this explanation as many are discouraged because some testimonies are of instantaneous healing. My demonstration over defective sight has been progressive, step by step, but vision has constantly improved in power until it is now almost complete. I now realize the true meaning of "God is Love," that God made man in His image and likeness, and God is perfect. I have learned that we should not fear, but accept all God's promises, knowing they are for us now; that we must accept them "as a little child," permitting no doubts to enter our consciousness. By doubts and questionings we may retard the healing. We must enter the gates of Truth with thanksgiving, never doubting that we shall explore His courts with praise.
I have been successful in many demonstrations for myself and in several for others. I study earnestly every day, and I feel increasing power and understanding after every effort to go about my Father's business. I find that it is quite as possible to demonstrate over and destroy errors in financial affairs as in sickness or sin. We must know"There is no power apart from God" (Science and Health, p. 228). Nothing can injure us in business any more than we can be injured physically, for God is the source of all supply. The entire world will one day accept the practical instruction and statements which enable us to heal even as Christ Jesus healed.
I am most grateful to the brave, noble woman whom all Christian Scientists revere.
