Having been a recipient of the manifold blessings of Christian Science for over twenty years, I feel the least I can do by way of expressing my gratitude is to offer the following testimony of Christian healing.
In 1918, I was healed of a combination of so-called Spanish influenza, double pneumonia, and other complications. The services of a Christian Science practitioner, also of a Christian Science nurse, were employed, as I could not be left alone day or night. It seemed as though I experienced suffering in every part of my body; but through the unceasing prayers of the practitioner and the unselfed labors of the nurse, all the symptoms were overcome, some quickly, others more slowly. On account of my very critical condition, it was often necessary to call the practitioner in the night hours. One night I had a serious hemorrhage; but within half an hour after the practitioner was called I was peaceful and calm, and the flow had ceased. On another occasion, when I could breathe through one lung only, and that with great difficulty, I seemed to be passing through the "valley of the shadow." The practitioner sat by my bedside all that night. Steadfast and firm in her realization of God's power and presence, she reminded me many times of my true being as a child of God; fear was ruled out, and Truth supplied the rod and staff which comforted and sustained me throughout the night. Gradually and certainly the breathing became more natural, the pain disappeared, and in the morning I could breathe freely through both lungs. After this night's experience I showed a marked improvement each day. A month from the date of the attack I took the trip by rail from Washington, District of Columbia, to my home in Boston, with enjoyment and comfort, although unable to stand on my feet: I had to be carried to all destinations where I would ordinarily have walked. During this period my mother was healed by Christian Science of pneumonia and my sister of influenza symptoms; while a brother, whose condition was similar to mine, passed on at the hospital under medical treatment.
Soon after I arrived at my home I attempted to walk, but my limbs became badly swollen, discolored, and sore from toe to thigh, and the muscles contracted so that I had to keep my knee joint doubled tightly. Christian Science treatments were given, and there was a steady improvement until the healing was perfected. During this time I had lost most of my hair; but it quickly grew, longer and thicker than ever before. I was also healed of a queer mental condition. I am grateful that not once during this siege did I doubt the ability of the right application of Christian Science, or God's law, to heal me; nor had I the slightest desire to try other means, although friends and neighbors who knew little or nothing of Christian Science predicted fatal results and tried to influence my family to call a doctor. I was away from work two months in all; but in the years that have elapsed since that time I have not lost a single day from the office on account of physical disability.
