When I first came to Christian Science I was practically a hopeless, helpless sufferer. I had not been able to walk for fifteen years and a half, nor had I been able to use my eyes during that time. The last time I had walked was to the operating table. My weakened condition was the result of an illness and an eye-strain some two years previous. The physician we called to prescribe for me assured us that an operation would restore me to health. My husband and I consented to the operation, but afterwards we found that I had been badly injured instead of benefited. Physicians told me I should never again be able to walk, one predicting that I should have malignant growths.
From that time I was never free from pain, and was confined to my bed or couch the greater part of the time. The condition of my eyes, however, caused me greater suffering; and after the operation the diseased condition increased until I lay in a darkened room for months. Eye specialists said I had a complication of three diseases, one of which was astigmatism in its worst form. They said that an operation might help me if it proved successful, but we would not consent to one. I was taken to different hospitals, and conscientious physicians did all they could for me, but I received only temporary relief.
For years I had prayed that God would lead me to something or someone that would heal me. I finally went to the home of my sister, who was a Christian Scientist, living in another state. She asked me to try Christian Science, and I consented to do so. I could not endure the light in the room, so the practitioner and others read to me while holding the Bible and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy under the drawn window shade. I would try to remember sentences that appealed to me, repeating them over and over, and trying to accept and realize the truth they contained, until my room seemed like heaven, illuminated day and night. I would awaken in the night with a song of rejoicing. I did not want to see or talk to any visitors.
The first three months there was little improvement, except the healing of constipation, which had burdened me since early childhood. Then one day, at the noon hour, the shades being drawn as usual, I suddenly became totally blind. At that moment the practitioner came into the room and spoke to me. I said, "I am blind, but I know I shall see." She sat by my side and worked as usual. The blindness lasted about an hour. Soon I could discern light and could see objects in the room. I asked the practitioner to raise the window shades. She did so, and with tears streaming from my eyes, I exclaimed, "I can see." I picked up the Bible and Science and Health and found I could read. It is impossible to describe the joy, gratitude, and confidence which this healing brought to me.
The other conditions did not respond so quickly. The practitioner never wavered, but always kept before her thoughts the truth of God's omnipotence and power. She was enabled to impart to me patience and the healing love and compassion which I so much needed. After I had had treatment for five or six months, a malignant growth was passed painlessly. But still I could not walk or stand.
I had learned by this time that Science and Health is indeed the "key" that unlocks the sacred truths of the Bible to all who diligently seek for them. For nearly eight months it seemed to be a battle between the flesh and Spirit. But all this time Truth was silently and painlessly adjusting my thought of every organ in my body. Suddenly I became worse, but we held to this living truth, constantly realizing that there could be no relapse or reaction in divine Mind. Nothing was able to withstand the mighty power of good. I was soon able to ride out in a wheel chair, and it was a happy day for me when I first attended a church service. Some little time after this I seemed to hear a voice which said, "Arise, and walk." I obeyed, and have been walking, working, and praising God ever since. This healing took place twenty-one years ago.— Portland, Oregon
