We read in Science and Health (p. 3), "Action expresses more gratitude than speech." And in obedience to this dictum I am writing of my gratitude for the many healings, both physical and mental, which have come into my experience. I hope that an account of some of them may assist others in their search for an understanding of God.
When I first learned of Christian Science, my whole life was in a turmoil. I had been a semi-invalid for a number of years; my home life was discordant and unhappy. I had been praying earnestly for some light to lessen the burden which I seemed to be carrying. I had studied the doctrine and fundamentals of several different denominations over a number of years, had attended their services, and had to the best of my ability followed their teachings; but I could not find the truth that satisfied logic nor a love that confirmed my mortal sense of what constitutes love. Then, through quite a remarkable series of incidents, I was brought into contact with a Christian Scientist, who loaned me a copy of Science and Health. Immediately it answered all my questions and seemed to put into words all the conclusions toward which I had been groping for so many years.
When I was a very new student of Science, my husband, who was rather scornful of what he termed my "new thought," developed a serious condition which doctors did not appear to be able to help in spite of treatment lasting a few months. Suddenly, at a time when he appeared to be having a particularly bad bout, as we sat at lunch one day, he said: "Well, you always say that your new thought can heal. Why don't you help me?"
I explained that I could not work for him without his permission but that I would do so now. After I had spent a few minutes in silent prayer for guidance, there came to my thought these words which God spoke to man (Gen. 1:28): "Have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."
I reminded my husband that man made in God's image and likeness had dominion. Then I asked him who had dominion over his body—that man or the so-called germs causing the disease? He immediately saw the logic and truth of this reasoning and arose from the table completely healed— free from pain and every symptom of the disease. There has never been any recurrence in more than eleven years, and my husband's attitude toward Christian Science completely changed. Today he relies radically on its teachings.
Some years ago when my younger son was in a distant, wild country, I was suddenly filled with an overwhelming sense of fear for his safety. I tried to know that there are no accidents in divine Mind, but I could not overcome the fear in my own consciousness. So I telephoned a practitioner, who assured me that such intuitions should not be ignored. She helped me to realize that "divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need" (Science and Health, p. 494). I was able to retire and sleep with a quiet mind.
Later I learned that at just about that time my son's car had run off a low bridge in wild and desolate country in which there was little likelihood of any other traveler passing, perhaps for days. Within a matter of hours, however, a party of Asians arrived; and with their help my son was able to get his car back on the road. It did not run, but he was taken to the nearest village where mechanical help could be given.
My testimony would not be complete without an expression of gratitude for Mrs. Eddy, who through her clear understanding and spirituality was enabled to explain and interpret Christ Jesus' teachings in such a way that all can understand, and thus be able to follow and obey, the commandments of God.
Randburg, Transvaal
Republic of South Africa
