For some time I have felt that I should add my testimony to the many that are being offered as witness to the efficacy of Christian Science as a healer of sin, disease, and discord of all kinds. I finally awoke to the realization that I was apparently withholding my expression of gratitude until a more complete demonstration over error was made. When I considered the folly of this attitude, there was revealed to me the understanding of the value of problems, if we are exercised thereby; and I am truly grateful for the opportunities presented by which I have been enabled to prove the power of Truth over error, since it is only by the exercise of our understanding that we can hope to attain to greater spiritual heights. On page 410 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy tells us, "Every trial of our faith in God makes us stronger." This truth has often been demonstrated to me.
Many blessings have come to me through Christian Science, of which I had heard little before the spring of 1919; but during that year it was brought to my attention frequently. On my travels I met several acquaintances whom I had not seen for some time, and the change in them, both physical and moral, amazed me. In each case I learned that they had taken up the study of Christian Science. Then several pamphlets came into my possession, and I gladly accepted the truths they set forth. By September my interest was so great that a copy of Science and Health was purchased and earnestly studied in connection with the Bible.
At this time I did not study with a view to physical healing, since severe headaches and slight nervous breakdowns were so usual that they were accepted as a natural condition. However, after a few weeks of study, the headaches, from which I had suffered since childhood, had utterly vanished, together with a tendency to a succession of fever blisters, sometimes so painful and disfiguring as to interfere with my work on the stage. These healings were brought about solely through the study of the Bible and Science and Health, as I had not yet heard of practitioners.
In November, the nervous trouble seemed to come to a climax, causing a collapse during a performance, after which I was unable to resume work. After six weeks of medical treatment by a prominent physician in Chicago, I suffered another stroke, and was taken to my home, where the doctor informed my people that I could not live more than three weeks. For a time I was too dazed and helpless to read, but one of the first things I remember was asking for the Bible and Science and Health, which were thereafter kept on a table beside my bed. The doctor had declared that if I did live I should never be able to walk, but in about four months I was able to take a few steps, with assistance.
My people knew nothing of Christian Science, so various remedies were resorted to—materia medica, hypodermic injections, chiropractic and electrical treatments—but each seemed to leave me in a more deplorable condition. This continued for four years, during which time I was unable to walk without being supported on both sides. Then circumstances enabled me to rejoin my husband, who encouraged my reliance on Christian Science. All medicines were left behind, and immediately my health began to improve. We now learned that there were practitioners who would aid me, and through the loving help of the one to whom we were led I was soon able to walk with the support of a cane, which was dispensed with early in 1927. My general health became very good, and has remained so, enabling me to apply myself closely to my present work with no ill results.
For years now I have not used a material remedy of any kind, yet most of the supposedly incurable complications which seemed to attend the physical breakdown have disappeared, and others are gradually yielding. Severe attacks of bronchial asthma were overcome after three treatments, several threatened attacks thereafter being instantaneously healed by the understanding that God is my Life. It is several years since this trouble was overcome. An abscessed tooth was healed overnight, much to the astonishment of the dentist, who declared that in all his experience he had never seen so remarkable a healing. Severe bilious attacks, corns, burns, sore throat, partial paralysis of the bowels, and other discords have yielded to the application of the truth. Wonderful protection from injury in accidents and escape from threatened dangers have caused me to rejoice in the realization that "underneath are the everlasting arms." Many faults of disposition have been uncovered and overcome to a great extent as I daily pray, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer."
I am deeply grateful to God for the knowledge of this healing truth. For the loving help of practitioners, for the privilege of membership in The Mother Church, for the lectures and other wonderful aids to growth provided by our Leader, I am also grateful. Many times I have been helped by the timely arrival of one of the periodicals, in which was found just the thought required to solve the problem confronting me at the time. It is my earnest desire to live in obedience to our Master's teachings, and to be worthy of the name of Christian Scientist.— Springfield, Illinois
