The testimonies given in our periodicals have always been a source of great encouragement to me, and I realize that I must share some of my experiences so that they may be of help to others.
When Christian Science was first presented to me by a dear sister, I knew that I had found the explanation of Jesus' teachings for which I had been searching all my life. I read the textbook, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, and other Christian Science literature every spare moment that I had.
Some of the early healings which we had were those of neuralgia and so-called children's diseases. Worry was overcome, and I was healed of sick headaches, to which I had been subject for many years and from which I had seen my mother suffer. I had to learn that mortal heredity is not a law and' that it has no power, since man's real and only parent is his Father-Mother God, from whom he can inherit only divine attributes.
One outstanding healing in our home was that of severe burns which our eldest daughter experienced. While she was in a neighboring town, a gasoline camp stove exploded, burning her severely. The doctor who was called to the scene of the accident pronounced the injuries third-degree burns. Our daughter was taken to a hospital, where she remained for two days. I was at her side constantly and repeated statements of truth to her during this time.
The third day I informed the doctor that we would take her home, since we wished to rely entirely upon Christian Science for her help. He said to one of our friends, "If that girl lives through this experience, Christian Science will have a place in this town." Nevertheless, he asked her to come and see him as soon as she was able.
This she did at the end of eight weeks, and when he saw that she could move her neck and arms freely and that they were not stiff he said, "In all my years of practice I have never seen the muscles replaced after being destroyed in such a way."
There is a statement in Science and Health along this line which was of great help to us. It reads (p. 199): "Had Blondin believed it impossible to walk the rope over Niagara's abyss of waters, he could never have done it. His belief that he could do it gave his thought-forces, called muscles, their flexibility and power which the unscientific might attribute to a lubricating oil."
This statement helped us to realize that God perpetuates and maintains true thought forces through Mind, not matter, and that they cannot be burned and can never be destroyed. This healing was widely recognized in the community, and a doctor even sent one of his patients to see us for encouragement.
At the time of this healing of burns, our daughter was also healed of a goiter which she had had for a number of years and for which we had done much prayerful work. It was entirely dissolved without any special work being done for it at that time.
Another experience which stands out as being very wonderful to me was the solution of the problem of unemployment. When we held to the truth that man always has an infinite wealth of ideas, all that he needs for his entire satisfaction, and that there is always a place for him to express these ideas, a new line of work opened to my husband. It proved to be the most satisfying position in all his years of employment. The enduring completeness of the unfoldment has been shown in later years, because as a result of this position his family is still being blessed and provided for.
In raising a family of five children, we found Christian Science adequate to meet all our needs. Moreover, it gave us a standard by which to live. Each morning before school the children would read a section of the Bible Lesson for the current week from the Christian Science Quarterly. They found that it answered many of the confusing questions which arose from the things they were taught in school, especially in regard to health laws and hygiene. That these children, as well as their entire families, are still students of the blessed truth has been another cause for great rejoicing on my part.
This testimony would not be complete without my saying that I am grateful for our periodicals and the Lesson-Sermons. These have ever been sources of great encouragement and inspiration to me. Also, I am happy to have the opportunity of serving in our branch church, for class instruction, and for the yearly association meetings. Every day I thank God for our great Master, Christ Jesus, and our dear Leader, Mrs. Eddy.—(Mrs.) Zada Miller McClusky, Clinton, Iowa.
