With deepest gratitude to God, to Christ Jesus, the Way-shower, and to our dear Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, I send this testimony in the hope that it will be of help to others who may be struggling. In April, 1917, I applied for enlistment in the United States Army and was accepted the following month.
For several years previous to this time I had been suffering from an extreme sense of deafness, apparently being unable to hear the telephone ring even when in the same room with it. I continually treated myself to the best of my understanding of Christian Science, and also occasionally had treatment from other Scientists. The result was a steady improvement in the sense of hearing, at times it being clear enough to distinguish ordinary conversation readily at close range, but not at any distance. Head noises seemed to accompany the deafness; also a ringing sound in the ears. This was my condition when called into active service, and upon reexamination I was rejected because of it and discharged in August, three and one half months after being accepted. The Army surgeon pronounced the condition one for which the medical profession held out no hope of cure.
Eight months after my discharge I was again examined by a draft board surgeon, the examination covering a period of more than an hour and a half, and no trace of the difficulty could be found by him. Not knowing that I was a Christian Scientist he told me it was his opinion that the army surgeon had made a mistake. I knew, however, the change that had come about in my condition, and how it had come about, and rightfully thanked God and Christian Science for the healing. I am most grateful to say that my healing is complete and permanent. My hearing is very acute, and when lying in bed it is not unusual for me to hear the tick of a small wrist watch on the dresser eight or ten feet away. I would like to add that up to a short time before the last examination I was able to hear but little of the church services. Being an usher in a local church, however, I knew it was my duty to be in my place every service, and that nothing could prevent my doing my work as it should be done; and I feel that this spirit of obedience had much to do in making the demonstration.
