Among the many blessings received through Christian Science, I am most thankful for my recent experience of being instantaneously healed during the church service. About ten days before, I had injured my shoulder, but thinking the discomfort would soon pass away, had paid little attention to it, until I found myself, nearly a week later, unable to use the arm without severe pain, and suffering greatly if I leaned forward or tried to lie on the other side. It seemed to me that the case called for surgical treatment, and I decided, without consulting a Christian Science practitioner, to call for a physician as soon as I could get one in the morning, meaning to rely on Truth for my help after he had done his work.
After making a very painful examination, the physician said he found nothing that called for surgery, but thought that I had taken cold in the injured shoulder. He advised me to have the arm bandaged close to the body, and said I must make up my mind to be a one-armed woman for some time. For the moment, in my confused thought, I felt that he was right, and that the trouble would be met sooner by keeping the arm perfectly quiet, but when he wrote out a prescription for an adhesive bandage, the whole affair took on a more serious aspect. After he went away I became very fearful of keeping the arm in one position, as I still felt that there was something out of place in the shoulder, so I sent for a member of the Christian Science church which I attend, and after relating my morning's experience I asked her what she would advise about the bandaging. She asked me if I wished it done, and I told her that I was afraid to have it done, and also felt that it was wrong to do it. She replied that as the only benefit that could result from it would be the allaying of my fear, and as it seemed to be having exactly the opposite effect, she should advise me not to have the arm bandaged, but to turn unreservedly to Truth for help. When the doctor returned, and I told him that I had decided not to use the bandage, he said he thought I would call on him later to do the work, and that I must promise him not to try to use the arm.
The Scientist spent some time with me, talking and reading, and endeavoring to lift my thought from material error to spiritual truth. The next morning (Saturday) she came in again, read the Lesson-Sermon to me, and gave me many helpful thoughts. I told her I believed that if I could get dressed and go to church the next day, I should receive help. She encouraged me to make the effort, and came again that evening to advise me once more to go to the service, telling me of a case of healing in church that was known to her. I found that, as I turned away from the testimony of material sense, I gradually improved, and though I could not dress myself or arrange my hair, yet, when with the help of the family I was made ready for church the next day, I found myself able to go. Before the service was half through I experienced the joy of realizing that I was using the injured arm as freely as the other; my consciousness had been so completely filled with the light of Truth, as expressed in the Lesson and reflected by the thought of those present, that the shadow of error could find no place in it. From that time I had no more pain, and that afternoon I was able to dress my own hair. The next morning I helped to move some furniture, and was full of joy in realizing that I was no longer a "one-armed woman."
