"Willing the sick to recover is not the metaphysical practice of Christian Science, but is sheer animal magnetism." So states our Leader on page 144 of the Christian Science textbook. The full import and eloquence of this enlightening statement became clear and comforting to me through the study and understanding of Science, wherein it is revealed that God, the infinite, divine Principle, Love, is the only true healing power. Indeed, this Christly understanding of God and the practical application of it have been my sole protection and healing remedy ever since 1908.
It was early in my life that a beautiful healing was experienced. As a young man in my middle teens I went out West against my parents' wishes to the Kansas wheat fields to pitch wheat into wagons for the then fabulous wage offering of five dollars a day. Shortly thereafter blood poisoning set in in one of my hands and extended on into my arm. The pain and fear became so stupefying and overwhelming that I offered no resistance when I was placed in a county hospital. Consultations were held by the hospital doctors, after which one of the nurses came and asked me if I had parents who should be notified of the situation, because the doctors had decided my arm should be amputated if my life was to be spared.
This alarming report aroused me sufficiently to ask the nurse to telephone a Christian Science practitioner. She did so, and before the day was over the practitioner, after receiving the necessary release from the hospital authorities, took me to her home, where I spent about a week. Daily Christian Science treatments were given me by the practitioner, and I could actually feel a sense of healing love all about me during this time.
Shortly, I was on my way home; and on the second day in the train, the poisoned condition began to drain and subside, and all pain practically ceased. Arriving home, I continued to have treatment from a local practitioner, and in about six weeks' time a complete healing took place, and there was much rejoicing for this wonderful proof of God's ever-loving care.
While serving under the most trying conditions overseas in World War I as a combat infantry soldier, I was lovingly guided and provided for through my understanding and application of Christian Science, and here let me add my sincere appreciation of the prized Pocket Editions of the Holy Bible and the textbook furnished me by the Christian Science War Relief Committee before I left the States for overseas. They came in mighty handy.
During a night combat mission, just before the end of the war, the enemy shelled us with mustard gas, and the side of one of my legs came in contact with the gas. The Army authorities at that time admitted they were unable to come up with an effective cure for this ailment and had intended sending me to an Army hospital, located in the southern part of the States, regardless of my protestations that I wished to have Christian Science treatment.
In the end, however, Christian Science treatment was arranged for. Mrs. Eddy states on page 224 of the textbook, "No power can withstand divine Love," and accordingly the truth and potency of this benign and ever-active divine Love brought about the desired healing, although in this case much consecrated prayerful work was necessary over a period of about two years before the complete healing was accomplished.
Grateful acknowledgment is also made of the loving care and services of a Christian Science Camp Worker (as they were called in those days), while I was still overseas. After the end of the war, I, along with others in my regiment, was sent to a disembarkation camp next to the seacoast to make ready for shipment home to the States, the sailing date being a little more than three weeks away. For a while it didn't look as though I was going to make it, because I became seriously ill with pneumonia and influenza, both at the same time, and was placed in the Army infirmary.
It was pleasingly noteworthy that the Army personnel respected Christian Science and its method of treatment, and I was given no medication. At my request for Christian Science help, the Worker mentioned above was notified and came over each day and provided the necessary Christian Science treatments, much to my comfort and happiness. A beautiful and complete healing came about just in time to allow me to sail home with the others of my regiment as scheduled.
I have experienced many and varied beautiful healings in Christian Science and blessings from its study, for which I am profoundly grateful, but the greatest of all blessings is the realistic and comforting understanding, gained through the study and practice of Christian Science, of the ever-present, loving, and true nature of God and of man's perfect relation to Him. Through this understanding a peaceful and confident state of mind may be gained and a practical and all-harmonious way of life experienced, here and now.
My gratitude is indeed great to God for Christ Jesus, for Mrs. Eddy, who discovered Christian Science and founded it with such unique wisdom, for the ever-willing and consecrated work of Christian Science practitioners and other workers in the Field, and for the privilege of membership in The Mother Church. — Miami, Florida.
