I wish to express my gratitude for what Christian Science has done for me. As a child I longed to have lived in Jesus' time, so as to have been near him and to have gone to him for healing. Then I would ponder his words, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world," but mystery seemed to surround them. I kept searching for an explanation of life.
Three weeks after the birth of our son, I was brought home from the hospital a physical wreck as a result of heavy lifting and overwork. I was pronounced by our physician one of the worst cases he had ever examined of displaced organs and stretched ligaments. He said: "As soon as you have gained sufficient strength, we will operate—twice will be necessary. And then we do not know that it will do any good." I felt I could not go through these experiment. A few days later a neighbor presented Christian Science to me and I began reading a Christian Science Sentinel. And oh! the joy of finding a religion that could be applied to each and every problem of daily life!
I had been reared in a Christian home. My dear parents had taught me to study the Bible, to attend church services regularly with them, and to look to God for my well-being; but Christian Science has taught me what God is and how to avail myself of His ever-presence.
After I had read the Sentinel, the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, was lovingly given to me, and I began to study. In three days I was up on my feet, in one week I took a short walk, and in two weeks took a long railroad journey.
My healings have gone on steadily, and include the correction of erroneous beliefs about God and man's relation to Him, and of misplaced affections. To-day I am doing all sorts of work, lifting and carrying, and am on my feet during long days, but only occasionally do I sense a slight weakness, which loses all claim to reality when I know that God is my strength. Our little son was healed through Christian Science treatment of an arm broken at the elbow, so that in four days he was pushing a lawn mower. No material splints or bandages were applied. For a few days the arm was not quite straight. One day I was reading from Isaiah, "And the crooked shall be made straight." At once the lad shouted, "We have beaten mortal mind." With no doubt, no questioning, he accepted the promise, and the next day we noted that the arm was perfect. This same lad was healed of a broken nose in twenty-four hours. When he was a baby of two years, he fell on a stove and wounded his head severely. The wound seemed to heal, but in a few days it became inflamed, discolored, and swollen. The intense pain and fever were met almost instantly. I had taken the textbook and gone into an adjoining room to study. I opened the book to the place where it is written (p. 250), "Man is not God, but like a ray of light which comes from the sun, man, the outcome of God, reflects God." This truth released the child and he called, "It's all right now, mamma." We both slept soundly; by morning he played as usual, and in a few days all was normal.
Every day we are proving the nearness of God. One of my greatest healings has been the overcoming of a sense of separation and grief. Many more healings I could relate. I am grateful for the consecrated workers who have helped us along the way, and for our inspiring literature.— West Union, Iowa.
