I offer this testimony with a heart filled with gratitude for blessings received. About six years ago I became interested in Christian Science because of its healing power. I had been confined to a dark room on account of serious trouble with my eyes, when a member of my family, a physician in a large city where we then resided, took me to a celebrated eye specialist; but he could not help me and gave me no encouragement. I was obliged to try another, and this one had several pairs of glasses made for me, but I could see better without them. When he gave up my case he told me that I would never be able to read, write, or sew by artificial light. I rebelled against being obliged to remain in a dark room and in distress, when others whom I knew had been healed of serious troubles through Christian Science. With this thought in mind I went to see a friend, who told me of this healing truth. She said that all things were possible to God, and that the healing was accomplished through prayer and the right understanding of God. This came like a benediction, for it seemed to me that of all afflictions, that which affected the eyes was the greatest.
About this time the Christian Science text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, was presented to me as a birthday gift. I began reading it one evening, and before I was aware, it was eleven o'clock. This was the first time in many weeks that I had been able to read, but the very first words in that book meant much to me: "To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, today is big with blessings" (Science and Health, Pref., p. vii). These words are still my strong defense, and every day I recall them. I continued the reading, and before I had read the book through I was healed, not only of the eye trouble but of biliousness, from which I had suffered since childhood.
While I now believed in Christian Science and attended the meetings and Sunday services, I did not seek a larger understanding until about two years ago, while visiting a friend who had become a devoted student of this truth. To this friend I expressed my desire to gain a fuller understanding of Christian Science. Her advice was to read all the Christian Science literature, and she referred me to our Leader's words: "Working and praying with true motives, your Father will open the way" (Science and Health, p. 326). Since then I have worked more earnestly, and our heavenly Father has indeed opened the way, for I have been healed of bunions which caused me torture, so that I could scarcely wear any shoes. I am, however, happy to say that through my understanding of Truth the ailment has entirely disappeared into its native nothingness. I have proved for myself that Christian Science can and does heal every disease, but to accomplish this we must work mentally and spiritually. We cannot say, "Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee." Now is the time, today and every day, if we would gain a larger understanding of this truth which makes us free from bondage to disease and discord. Some days may seem dark and dreary, and it is then that we must work more faithfully.
