I should like to tell of the first healing I had in Science. It has been a poignant reminder that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Ps. 46:1).
Although it was many, many years ago that a loved one in my family, for whom I can never be grateful enough, first introduced Christian Science into our home, it was not until a frightening physical ailment overcame me about ten years ago that I really was receptive to Science and became interested in studying it. At that time I had been under the continuous care of a specialist for several years for a serious internal disorder that was worsening instead of improving.
The climax was reached one Saturday when I became very ill and was told by the specialist that because of my alarming condition and because of the history of my case, I would have to be hospitalized immediately. I told my husband that I did not want to enter the hospital because I should like to try Christian Science. Although he was very much disturbed by the seriousness of my condition and the verdict that the specialist had given, he lovingly consented to phone a Christian Science practitioner.
The practitioner told him she would immediately start prayerful treatment and asked him to bring me to her home later in the day. My husband tried to explain that my condition was too serious for that, but she gently told him to phone her about five o'clock that afternoon. Not only did he phone her to make the appointment, but a wonderful thing had happened in the meantime—the severe pain had ceased, and such a great sense of well-being came over me that I was able to go to her home that evening as she had requested.
I shall never forget the sense of peace which flooded my consciousness as the practitioner talked of God's love and of man, His spiritual idea. The paralyzing fear that had gripped me was allayed; and within a few days every physical manifestation of the ailment completely disappeared, my health and strength were restored, and I was able to resume normal activities. The healing has been permanent.
During the time the healing was taking place, the practitioner explained some of the beautiful truths of our religion. I realized that man is not dependent upon matter for his life and strength and that in times of physical difficulties we need not be concerned about the material evidence but need only to learn of man's true relationship to God.
Although this first healing seemed like a miracle, I was to learn that it is God's divine law and ever-operative action which destroy mortal illusions. I also realized that the extreme mental depression I had been suffering, occasioned by grief at the passing of my beloved mother a short time before, had been healed by the practitioner's assurance of the continuity of Life and Love.
In the fall of that year I discovered to my amazement that I no longer had the hay fever and asthma which had plagued me each fall since I was a child and which had been accepted as incurable.
A sincere desire was awakened in me to learn all that I could of this healing religion and to help others as I had been helped. I began to study Science earnestly and to attend regularly the Sunday services and Wednesday evening testimony meetings. I also spent many hours studying in Reading Rooms and became very much interested in reading all the biographies of Mrs. Eddy. They pointed up the fact that her unselfish love and deep spirituality had enabled her to make clear the spiritual meaning of the Bible.
I am so very grateful that since that time we have had many proofs of God's loving care and that one by one my family have been turning to the study of Science and relying on it. I daily thank God for the spiritual understanding that is unfolding to my loved ones and to me as a consequence.— Belleville, Illinois.
I should like to verify the above testimony and add my deepest gratitude for my wife's healing.
I myself have been healed of a skin ailment which was diagnosed before I began to study Science as one of a very serious nature. I am also grateful for the healing, entirely through mental surgery, of a growth on my face. Other healings I have had have been those of severely injured toes, sinusitis, and stomach trouble of long standing. I am grateful for the protection I have been afforded during thousands of miles of daily driving each year in the pursuit of my business and for guidance in solving business problems.
It has been a great joy to have had the privilege of serving as a Sunday School teacher, as Sunday School superintendent, as chairman of the executive board of a branch church, and in many other capacities.
I am extremely grateful that both my wife and I are Mother Church members and branch church members and are thus afforded opportunites to serve the Cause of Christian Science.—
