From time to time I have asked myself, What have I demonstrated in Christian Science? I feel the time has now come to enumerate some of the many benefits that have come to me and mine through the study and application of this Science, and to express in some slight measure my ever increasing gratitude.
When Christian Science first found me I was in a hospital, being prepared by the nurses for a major operation. In my hand was a Christian Science Sentinel. I never knew whence it came. They took it from me and laid it on the bedside table. Hours later, when I regained consciousness following the operation, the Sentinel was still there. After several weeks, when I was removed to my home, the Sentinel went along.
After long and faithful care, the physician in charge of my case decided that the operation was not altogether successful, and told my family that he could do nothing more for me, intimating that my condition was incurable. I overheard his statement, and reached out blindly to God for help. For the first time I opened the Sentinel which had companioned me for weeks. I found therein a short testimony, which told of the healing of a woman whose physical condition was very similar to my own. For several days I read and reread that testimony; then I began to ask for information concerning Christian Science. I had heard of it, but knew nothing of practitioners and thought I had to do something or go somewhere to learn of the necessary procedure.
After several weeks of being urged, my family finally consented to take me to a Christian Science service when I should become strong enough. I insisted that if I could only get dressed I was strong enough to go right then; and with considerable misgiving they helped me to dress, carried me to the car, and drove with me to the nearest Christian Science church. This was a Wednesday evening meeting in early fall. I sat in the back of the church, too weak and miserable in body to sit up straight, but I found the service most enjoyable, and felt that God was very near me and was leading me. After the meeting the ushers were most friendly, and when they learned the reason for my being there they kindly procured for me a copy of The Christian Science Journal and showed me how to find the list of near-by practitioners. The next day I selected a name, and began to have treatment. I can never adequately express my appreciation for the patience and the unfailing tenderness which were displayed by that dear lady, and which I have since found characterizes all true Christian Science practitioners.
My healing was not rapid, but improvement was noticed at once. At the end of approximately one month I was able to go alone to the practitioner's office in the next town, a distance of about five miles, by trolley. Later I became a member of the branch church which I first attended. During the eighteen years that have elapsed many healings have taken place in our family, healings of pneumonia, rheumatism, blood poisoning, fever, neuritis, effects of compulsory vaccination, and various minor ailments too numerous to mention.
Perhaps the most signal instance of healing was brought out at the time of the birth of a granddaughter. When the baby was about ten days old, just before she and her mother were to come home, my son and I called at the hospital, and for the first time were told by the doctor that one of the baby's arms was imperfect and showed no indication of development. He added that the trouble seemed to be lack of coordination of the bones in the shoulder and upper arm, the joint seeming to be in a crushed condition. He was very kindly, and advised waiting until it could be determined whether an operation would be of any use, and he asked to see the baby when she was six months old. A Christian Science practitioner was immediately called, and work was begun at once. The improvement, while slow, was continuous, and at the end of about three months the healing was complete. In compliance with the doctor's request, when the baby was six months old her mother took her to see him, and following his examination he promptly pronounced her perfect. The little girl is now almost three years old, and it would be difficult to find a more perfect embodiment of childlike strength, beauty, and activity.
My gratitude to Mrs. Eddy is boundless. I rejoice in an increasing understanding of the truths of Christian Science, which she has given to the world, and in my own share in the activities of the movement, with a daily unfolding knowledge of God, which enables a closer following of Christ Jesus, our Way-shower, and a workable and provable application of the Scriptures. I am grateful for class instruction, for membership in The Mother Church and a branch church; for the literature, and for all those, everywhere, who are engaged in bringing to the world "good tidings of great joy."— Hackensack, New Jersey.
We are glad to corroborate the account of the healing of our baby, which took place just as has been related. We are indeed grateful to Christian Science.— and
