From the beginning of my experience with Christian Science I received much help and encouragement from faithful and loving practitioners, and I wish to relate my first healing. I 'was away from home at the time I became interested in Christian Science, in a low state of health, with scarcely any knowledge of Christian Science except that it claimed to heal the sick. After reading the literature a few weeks I called upon a practitioner for help. When I entered her quiet room, she handed me an open Bible, directing my attention to a chapter therein which she wished me to read while she treated me. Only those who have gone through experiences similar to the one related in the Bible of the woman who had suffered "many things of many physicians" can understand with what a sense of relief I did what the practitioner asked me, with a conscious sense of gratitude that that was all that was required of me.
At that time I was suffering from weak digestion and its attendant ills. I could digest only the plainest kind of foods, and had become reconciled to dieting, for there seemed to be no other remedy. This being a family ailment, I expected no permanent relief. After having ten days' treatment in Christian Science, however, I found that I had lost all fear of food and could eat whatever I cared to. But the physical relief did not impress me so much as did the spiritual light that came with the healing. It seemed for a while like living on another plane of existence.
My niece, who had always been in my care, had a very serious breaking out on her face. Finally, with her father's consent I took her to a practitioner each day for a week. In a day or two after our first visit her face began to take on a dryer appearance, and from that time on the healing was very noticeable. When we made our last visit I noticed with gratitude that her face was as smooth as it ever had been. This experience was felt by all who witnessed it to be a most convincing proof of what Mrs. Eddy says, that "Christian Science heals the sick quickly and wholly" (Manual, p. 92). At another time all the symptoms of scarlet fever were met for the child in less than twenty-four hours, with no after effects except a few days' weakness. Another child in our home at that time was perfectly protected. For all these healings, and many other blessings besides, we are indeed grateful, and herewith acknowledge our great indebtedness to God; to Christ Jesus, the Way -shower; to His faithful follower, Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science; to the loving practitioners; and to all others who have made these demonstrations possible, earnestly seeking for more understanding and a greater receptivity to this "light of the world."— Wichita, Kansas.
