THE legislative committee hearing held in Boston during last winter, to compel the services of registered physicians for children, recalls an experience in our family where such physicians figured conspicuously, but where the cure itself was due to Christian Science. As the case has never been published in either of the Christian Science periodicals I take pleasure in giving this testimony in grateful acknowledgment of the fact that God forgives all our iniquities and heals all our diseases.
Early in the year 1896 our boy of two years was taken ill, and the regular physician was called. The boy grew no better under his treatment, but lay helpless on his back, unable to walk or stand. After giving this physician a reasonable trial we called another, and finally a third and fourth, with no better result. All stood high in their profession, yet each diagnosed the case differently. When summer came, and the boy's condition had not improved, we took him to the country to see what good air and nature could accomplish. While there, some one suggested that we consult a spinal specialist. This we did immediately on our return to the city, and the fifth diagnosis was a dreaded disease of the spine. The boy was put in the care of the best specialists in Boston, and while under their charge was either kept on his back strapped down tightly to a canvas stretcher, or encased in a heavy steel brace, with an auxiliary head support, which allowed no movement of head or neck in any direction. After several months the boy walked, but in spite of all precautions, grew deformed. At the end of six years' treatment with local specialists we took him to celebrated orthopedic specialists in St. Louis, in whose charge he remained four years. Except for superior mechanical appliances, the treatment was practically the same. A night brace was substituted for the stretcher, but under no consideration was the boy allowed to be at any time, day or night, without support, and I was told by the chief specialist in charge that it would be necessary for him to wear a brace or support until he reached manhood. In the mean time another complication had arisen in the form of bronchial trouble, which developed rapidly and seriously. Again physicians were consulted, both in Boston and New York. This time the diagnosis was similar, the drugs various, but ineffectual, and lastly came the verdict that the boy must be taken away from the east winds.
We were preparing to make the change needful to save his life, when Christian Science was recommended to us. At first we ridiculed the idea, then believing it could do no harm, if not any good, we decided to give it a short trial. A near-by practitioner was found, and the boy put in her charge Jan. 29, 1907. The bronchial attacks ceased from that time, and have never returned. After three weeks' treatment the braces, which he had not been without for ten years, were taken off—they were needed no longer, for the boy was well. During the past year he has grown stronger, straighter, and added between one and two inches to his height. It now seems as if the harder the east wind blows the healthier he gets. He engages in all boyish sports and walks between four and five miles each day to and from school. We could not realize at first that our boy was healed, but after the truth dawned upon us, we asked ourselves. How does Christian Science perform cures which have baffled physicians and specialists for years? The practitioner told us that in Christian Science cures are performed through the understanding of God and His law, and recommended us to read Science and Health. A perusal of this book has directed thought into new channels. The Bible, which before seemed dry, uninteresting, and incomprehensible,—not in accord with the thought of to-day,—has suddenly become interesting, intelligible, and applicable to daily needs.
