It is with much joy that I acknowledge the benefits which Christian Science has brought into my experience. I have never ceased to be grateful that, while I was still in my teens, this practical religion was introduced into my family by an acquaintance who recognized our urgent need for help. I was enrolled in the Sunday School, and from then on Christian Science became the guiding light of my life. It has brought the solution of problems in regard to physical illness, personal relationships, employment, and the home, and it has shown me how to rise above a false sense of personality, termed an inferiority complex, into the joyous freedom of my true individuality as a child of God.
One of the great blessings of Christian Science is that it shows us how to overcome the limiting fears which beset mankind. This becomes especially important to parents in the rearing of children, because it eliminates from consciousness anxieties so often associated with childhood and the adolescent years. This freedom from fear meant a great deal to my husband and me when one of our daughters at the age of six was faced with a serious illness which caused her to lose consciousness many times during the day, a condition subsequently described by the school nurse as a form of epilepsy called petit mal.
When this problem arose, we turned immediately to Christian Science for help with complete confidence that our religion was fully capable of healing the difficulty. The guidance of a Christian Science practitioner was sought, and it supported us beyond measure. Though the healing did not come quickly, we did not waver from the sure conviction of the infallibility of Science when its rules are correctly applied.
The account of Jesus' healing of the child of whom his father said, "Ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water" (Matt. 17:15), became the basic theme of our prayers. Further on, in Matthew's account of this healing, Jesus speaks of the requirement of having "faith as a grain of mustard seed." I saw that the faith which was needed for our daughter's healing must be pure faith, faith based on a spiritual understanding of God. I took very much to heart Jesus' statement in verse 21, "Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting," and I prayed and studied constantly. Nothing became so important to me as gaining a clearer understanding of God and of man's true relationship to Him.
I noted that Jesus' requirement for healing a difficult case was not only prayer but fasting, and I pondered what this meant. I knew that my concept of fasting had to be a mental one—that of abstaining from seeing my child as a mortal with an affliction. I needed to see her as God had created her, a perfect idea in the kingdom of heaven.
I tried diligently to look away from the mortal picture of imperfection to see that since God made everything good, His child can express and experience only good. Mary Baker Eddy, writing about this case in her book "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany," says of Jesus (p. 222), "Also he added: 'This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting' (refraining from admitting the claims of the senses)." I saw that this was the fast I must keep.
The study of the Lesson-Sermon, outlined in the Christian Science Quarterly, became a mainstay, providing daily fresh inspiration and guidance. Discouragement had to be overcome many times, but doubt about the ultimate victory was never entertained. We shall never cease to be grateful for the dedication and steadfast conviction of the practitioners who at different times provided greatly needed direction and encouragement. The child herself maintained an abiding sense of the assurance of God's protecting love and was very faithful in her application of the truth.
One day, following a period of many months when work in Christian Science had been consistently maintained and during a time when the seizures were much more pronounced, our daughter was suddenly and completely healed. From that moment on, she enjoyed all the normal activities of childhood, including swimming, horseback riding, and active participation in interscholastic sports—activities which would have been considered hazardous for her prior to the healing.
Our joy knew no bounds. But more than the healing itself, we have been continuously grateful for the lessons learned through the experience, and we have come to love and appreciate Paul's declaration (Rom. 8:18): "I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." The glory has remained.
Among healings which I have experienced have been those of tuberculosis, sinus trouble, a tumor, and a serious back condition. A happy marriage is an especial joy. I am deeply grateful for class instruction, a benefit which was of immeasurable value during the solving of our daughter's problem and which has brought many blessings. I am thankful for the examples of Christ Jesus, the Way-shower, and of Mrs. Eddy, who brought the Science of Christianity to the world.
Bala-Cynwyd, Pennsylvania
With deep gratitude to God, I verify the healing of our daughter in the above testimony. In answer to our prayers for her safety, many proofs of divine protection were witnessed. The dedicated work of the practitioners stands out clearly during this experience. To Christian Science is given full credit for this healing.
