It is with gratitude and joy that I send in my testimony for the Journal. The Christian Science literature holds an important place in our home. Thirteen years ago, en route to Chicago from Boston, we stopped in Cleveland to visit friends. In this home I heard criticisms of Mrs. Eddy which to my neutral thought seemed unfair. I had lived for some years within hearing distance of the chimes of The Mother Church. I knew nothing of Christian Science, but respected this large religious organization as I did other church organizations. Therefore I said to the other member of the family that, when we reached our destination, I should like to find out about Christian Science for myself. Regardless of the fact that two copies of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, had been in the home at two different times, I had never looked into either copy.
Thanks to the natural generosity of the other member of the family I was literally surrounded by Journals, Sentinels, and Monitors for weeks. What enlightenment and joy this literature brought me! Then came the textbook. The reading of this brought several healings of physical difficulties which had been with me for many years: catarrh and partial deafness since childhood; constipation, nervous exhaustion, and a chronic throat trouble of ten years' standing. The last-mentioned trouble manifested itself one evening. I prepared for the usual ordeal, putting the medicine on the table where I could reach it, also the Science literature and textbook, and planned to sit up for the night. Suddenly the thought came to me, If Christian Science heals, why cannot it heal me now? I reached for Science and Health and commenced to read; the last time I looked at the clock it was two o'clock. When I awoke in the morning I was completely healed, and have never had a recurrence of that discord. This healing led to my discarding medicine and taking my stand for Christian Science. A diligent study of the chapter "Recapitulation," in order to help another, brought me the healing of deafness.
I am very grateful for the blessings which have come to me and to my family through the loving help of practitioners. Through the work of a practitioner I had an instantaneous healing of sorrow when a loved one passed on. For this clearer understanding of life I am very grateful. I am also grateful for membership in The Mother Church and a branch church and for all the activities of these churches. As we appreciate and support these activities, we make much progress. I am grateful for class instruction; for Mrs. Eddy's life devoted to the unfoldment of the truth for all mankind ; and for Christ Jesus, the Way-shower. I am most grateful for the spiritual unfoldment which comes from solving our daily problems through the application of the truth—through acknowledging the ever present activity of God, good.— Seneca Falls, New York.
