Having received so much good from Christian Science, I give this testimony as an expression of my gratitude. In 1917, I met with an accident which resulted in the fracture of the bone of the upper right arm, as well as the socket at the shoulder joint. The surgeon in viewing the X-ray picture declared that I would never again be able to raise or use the arm, although I might have some use of the hand, because of the location of the fractures, my age, and, as we learned from the picture, an unhealthy condition of the bone at the shoulder joint. Previous to the accident I had suffered pain in that shoulder intermittently for several years.
Christian Science treatment was at once obtained, and I was wonderfully strengthened and sustained at the time of the setting of the bones. I cannot describe the sense I had of being lifted above the conditions through which I was passing. The surgeon was released from the case after the bones had been set, and complete reliance was placed upon Christian Science treatment. I was told not to use will-power or force in trying the arm, but to let Truth heal and govern. Trying one day to do a little act which involved a slight lifting of the arm and finding I could not lift it, I was tempted to be fearful; but the words from the ninety-first psalm came to my thought, "He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways." Pondering over this sentence, along with the interpretation of "angels" given by Mrs. Eddy in our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," I performed that little act which had been impossible before. This brought great joy and gratitude and, from then on, each day I was enabled to do a little more until the healing was completed and I had normal use of the arm and shoulder.
The healing seemed slow, as it involved not only the knitting and healing of the fractures but a renewal to health and soundness of the bone as well. During this time, while the reconstruction was taking place, there was no discouragement or looking back with self-pity over a seemingly slow healing; there were joy, gratitude, and a song in my heart and on my lips for what was being done. This healing meant very much in our family.
