Christian Science has been my only physician since the age of six years, and that of my family since marriage. I well remember in my boyhood when my mother, after three years confinement in a sanatorium, got rid of all medicines. She had been healed by reading Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy.
I have had many healings but have not written a testimony in a number of years. Now I should like to express gratitude for two rather recent healings, which seem outstanding.
During my professional career, opportunity for advancement seemed lost. The rules laid down left no reason for hope. Through prayer in Christian Science my moral courage was sustained. I was willing to leave the situation in God's hands. False pride was held in check, thus sustaining the self-discipline and poise needed to avoid precipitous action.
My prayer in Christian Science was to realize that opportunity could not be lost, that unjust rules could not govern my experience, and that divine Love could and would open the way for progress either in the present position or in another. Included in the prayer was the fact that diligence and perseverance must continue squarely in the situation confronted. Soon doors opened which had seemed closed; progress continued, resulting in an executive position; and I had the joy of being continuously engaged in the work in the firm and the profession of my choice.
During the past year a physical condition that seemed alarming was healed through prayer in Christian Science. The condition was one of bodily swelling from the waist down and of a respiratory difficulty after a gastronomic attack. Before the turning point there was a large and hard swelling or gathering. Larger clothes, and even larger shoes, were needed. I was in a mental state of self-condemnation and spent much time in going over every mistake I thought had been made. I could not understand why my prayers were not quickly effective as they had been at other times.
The situation continued over a period of a year. During this year I worked at different times with several dedicated Christian Science practitioners. I traveled several thousand miles to visit one and received much relief from the mental anguish and suffering. Upon returning home I was led to contact another practitioner in a distant city. Within thirty days I was healed! In each telephone conversation she asked, "How is your thinking? Are you guarding it? Are you really grateful? Are you really studying the Lesson-Sermon?" I was happy to say yes to all questions.
In looking up dictionary definitions of words I thought were familiar to me, I would find new meanings, providing fresh ideas relative to the situation. The work included study of the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's writings with the help of Concordances. It was truly a period of spiritual growth. It was at this time that I had the help of a visiting nurse.
During the metaphysical work I realized that the malady had been of much longer duration and tenacity than I had realized. For a long while I had been overweight and could not reconcile this with my eating habits. Of course, mortal fear had to be overcome. I recall at one time saying to myself, "How in the world are you ever to get rid of all this?" A divine thought came immediately, "Why, Mrs. Eddy tells us in four words — there is no matter." (See Unity of Good, chapter heading, p. 31.) So I dismissed the aggressive suggestion.
In the short period of thirty days, about forty pounds of weight dropped from my body, breathing became normal, and I was able to sleep in bed rather than sit up all night, which I had done for months. Within another thirty days I resumed tennis and golf, to which I had long been accustomed.
For these healings and proofs of the efficacy of prayer in Christian Science, and for many opportunities to serve in various capacities in a branch church, and also for class instruction and the annual association meeting, I am truly grateful. I am also grateful to God for Christ Jesus, who demonstrated the healing Christ, and for Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, for giving to the world this practical, demonstrable truth.
Saratoga, California
