Christian Science came into my life over thirty years ago when, as a young wife and the mother of two children, I was suffering from a supposedly incurable kidney disease. I knew nothing about Christian Science but sought help continuously through prayer.
I was in a hospital with my younger child for four months before being discharged as incurable. Then one day my mother brought me a Quarterly (German Edition) which someone had given her for me. The Golden Text and Responsive Reading of one of the Lesson-Sermons held my attention. I read (Job 5:8-27): "I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause: which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number. ... He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee. . . . And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace; and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin. ... Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it for thy good."
What an answer to my many prayers and what a justification of my faith that God could not possibly send distress to His children! With great joy, I saw the new way clear and bright before me; I left my bed and was instantaneously healed. I was alone, and I cannot describe in words this uplifting moment. Today I know it was the beginning of the new birth. The next day the healing was confirmed by my doctor with the greatest amazement.
This healing led my husband and me to investigate the religion thoroughly, and we very soon became members of a Christian Science Society. Years of the most earnest study followed. The children were brought up in accordance with Science, and in the ensuing years there have been many healings and blessings in our family.
I am particularly grateful for the healing of severe headaches, which had tormented me for years; through my faithful study they simply disappeared. A heart ailment, stomach colic, recurring abdominal pain, jaundice, a painful condition of the feet, broken ribs, and wounds were all healed without medical aid. Everything was wonderful, and our spiritual progress was visibly blessed. Home and working conditions improved. Nearly all the healings took place instantaneously, sometimes with the aid of a practitioner.
After years I had progressed to the extent where I was convinced that any error that assailed me would very soon disappear into its nothingness. At that very time I was put to my greatest test to prove what I had learned. By relating this experience, I hope to encourage those whose healing does not result instantaneously.
Some years ago an internal growth developed. I worked as we are taught in Christian Science and thought the growth would be quickly removed. I soon noticed, however, that fear was presenting itself and that I could not do the work alone. I asked for help. I studied, watched even' thought and everything I did, for I knew God requires perfection, and I did not permit myself the slightest deviation from Truth. I read the following passage from page 410of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy again and again: "Every trial of our faith in God makes us stronger. The more difficult seems the material condition to be overcome by Spirit, the stronger should be our faith and the purer our love."
I was willing to grow into this strong faith and continued to pray. While working this out with the prayerful support of a practitioner, I undertook a six months' trip to the United States. There I had the opportunity to visit Churches of Christ, Scientist, and Christian Science Reading Rooms and to talk with practitioners, but I never spoke about my condition. My understanding grew, and a four days' stay in Boston and a Sunday service in The Mother Church crowned my journey.
I had now reached the point where I had no more fear, and I resolved to study even more at home, to do even more church work, and to give more love in order to understand God better and better; and I endeavored to do it too. A year after my trip my healing was accomplished. It came about when I realized that I had been holding to the thought that something had to leave me and therefore had been acknowledging that there was something to be removed. It suddenly became clear to me that only the belief in the growth had to be removed, and that belief had to be removed from my consciousness.
I am grateful to God for Christ Jesus, our Exemplar, and for our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy, who has left us her wonderful discovery, Christian Science.
Darmstadt-Eberstadt, Germany
Filled with deep gratitude, I wish to corroborate my wife's testimony, for I also shared in all the blessings and witnessed the healings she mentions. I esteem the Church of Christ, Scientist, very highly and could not imagine a life without our glorious religion.
