My first healing in Christian Science, occurring sixteen years ago, was that of organic disturbance, said to be incurable by the physicians and surgeons who treated me. An operation had been performed with the expectation of healing, but only a very short period of relief was experienced. I was suffering great pain, and at times could not stand upright or walk any distance. The kind doctor who was attending me at that time told me that I should never be well, and that I had but a few years to live. He refused to accept any payment for his services.
I learned later that this same doctor had advised my husband that Christian Science treatment might be beneficial to me. However, my husband thought so little of Christian Science that the subject was not mentioned between us, nor was it considered when, shortly thereafter, a practitioner explained to him its wonderful merits. Not until all material aid was abandoned and relief found for my husband in Christian Science from a stomach disorder of years' standing did he consent to Christian Science treatment being given in my case. The very day I received his letter telling me of his relief from suffering (my husband being away on duty at a distant port) the doctor had told me the foregoing discouraging news.
I scoffed at the statements made by my husband in his letter and told my mother that he surely must have lost his mind. I also wrote him to this effect, at the same time telling him what the doctor had said regarding my condition. The practitioner to whom my letter was read very lovingly told my husband that there was no need for concern, and that I too could be healed. He then wrote me, quoting the practitioner's words; and I answered most unlovingly and with sarcasm, "All right, let her go ahead and heal me." She did. The healing was instantaneous! Three or four days after sending my letter I arose from a couch of intense suffering with the condition entirely eradicated from my consciousness, and my mother, hearing me singing and sounding quite busy, came into the room and found me sweeping the floor. I was greatly puzzled at the expression on her face, and by her manner, when she tried to explain to me that I must lie down, must be very careful, and try to get well. I suddenly realized, after feeling my side where the pain had been so long, that I was well. I said to mother: "This must be Christian Science; I feel perfectly well. There is no pain anywhere." We wept together with joy and gratitude for this wonderful healing.
