The truth of the "scientific statement of being," given on page 468 in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, has been proven to me in the past year, and has brought me immeasurable blessings. When but five years old I was taken with what the doctors pronounced a serious condition of the bone in my right limb. After a prolonged illness, which was very severe, I recovered in a measure, but the trouble recurred at intervals, and during the fall of 1906 I had a very severe attack. At this time I was a physical wreck, having a complete nervous breakdown and other troubles, which made my case a very serious one from a material standpoint. To mortal sense I suffered terribly, and although we employed the best medical aid we could secure, and had a number of able physicians, who did all in their power to help me, I rapidly grew worse instead of better. The only rest that I had was while I was dazed from the effects of a double dose of morphine, which had to be administered hypodermically to take any effect. My kind doctor, who came to see me once, twice, and sometimes three times a day, had decided that the only thing for me was an operation, and he feared I would lose my limb and perchance my life.
My case had become so serious that we had several physicians, and all seemed to agree that it was absolutely necessary for me to submit to an operation. At this time we called an eminent surgeon for consultation, he being the one we had decided to employ to perform the operation; but after making a thorough examination he advised waiting another week, to see what nature might do for me. That he feared the consequences of an operation was plain to be seen. I shall always thank God for that man's decision, for within the next few days my business manager came to see me and told me of his healing through Christian Science, inviting me to try it before submitting to the use of the knife and probable loss of my limb. The thought of being healed by God seemed so beautiful to me that I was anxious to take up Christian Science immediately, and my wife, eager to secure anything that promised relief from suffering, went at once to the Reading Rooms and brought literature for me to read. From the Journal we selected a practitioner.
I thank God for the friend who told me of the truth that makes us free, and which enabled me to discharge my doctor and depend upon the "great Physician," who is able and willing to heal our bodies as well as our souls. I had, in addition to the troubles mentioned when I turned to Science for help, stomach, bowel, and kidney trouble, and these were all overcome by the first treatment given me in Christian Science. The doctor would permit me to eat only a few things, but the practitioner said, relative to a question which was at once asked him by my anxious wife, that I could eat anything. This I found true, although all my life previously I had been subject to a bad form of stomach trouble, having to be very careful at all times what I ate; but I now know no such fear and eat anything I want, nor do I suffer any inconvenience from it.
Part of my healing was slow, but I can now thank God for it, as I was taught each day something new and beautiful about Truth, Life, and Love. Here let me say, for the benefit of any one whose healing is slow, Do not be discouraged, for you will some day be made free, and will rejoice in the understanding of divine Love and God's provision for man's need, which will come to you in your time of trial as it did to me. I also wish to say that I have been greatly helped in my business. Before coming into Science I was continually worrying over my work; was loaded down with fear and could see danger on all sides, but now I have a quiet feeling, knowing that all will be right for those who depend upon God for help and guidance. I have had so much help that I can find no words to express my gratitude for what has been done for myself as well as my wife and son and other members of our family. I was associated in business with a practising physician, who was a very close friend as well as a trusted medical man. He also treated me for some time, and had consulted with other physicians who treated me. After trying everything known in his profession, he in a manner gave me up, saying in a letter to my brother, as I afterwards found out, that he despaired of the results of an operation, and yet that it was the only thing left to do, as all other means had failed.
In giving this testimony my thought runs back to the first visit of my practitioner. How glad I was to see him! Each time he came he seemed to bring with him such a sense of divine Love and power that I could hardly wait until he arrived. He seemed to me the best friend I had on earth. I cannot take time to explain the many good things he told me, but I found them all true. He so often quoted the Master's saying, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." At first I could not understand what he meant by quoting this passage of Scripture so much and with such confidence, but I thank God I now know for myself its meaning and power. Prompted by sincere gratitude, I wish to express my thanks for the benefits I have received through Christian Science, and of these the spiritual uplifting far exceeds the physical healing. I am indeed thankful to our dear Leader, Mrs. Eddy, for her loving, wise counsel and ever-timely messages, teaching us to look to God alone for guidance and for deliverance from all inharmony. Christian Science is now our only physician, and with it we have been enabled to meet every belief of mortal mind successfully. For this and many other blessings we are deeply grateful to God. I also wish to express my gratitude for the Journal and Sentinel. I get so much help from them that I could not do without them. To me it is a great pleasure and privilege to be able to testify that Christian Science is true, beautiful, and practical. I can say sincerely that I would not give up my understanding of this truth for all the world contains.
We are grateful for our Leader's works and example, and can best show our loyalty and love by pressing ever onward, following more earnestly and closely in the path we are so lovingly shown. Words are inadequate to express my gratitude, which increases as I grow in the understanding of this truth, for the blessed privilege of being one in the vast number of those who are working to be truly worthy of the name Christian Scientist.
Parkersburg, W. Va.
