In a previous testimony published in the Sentinel in 1934 I mentioned only healings of physical diseases, but in this testimony I want to share some other ways in which Christian Science has helped me.
My first healing in Christian Science convinced me that I had found what I had long been seeking, namely, an understanding of God. I began learning that He is the Supreme Ruler of the universe, and that He is a good God who loves and cares for His children. As I began the study of this newly found religion I learned that God is divine Mind, the only intelligence, and that this Mind is my Mind and that as God's child, or reflection, I am expressing that intelligence. I also learned that God is impartial, divine Love, and that what was possible for one of His children was possible for all His children. As a result of my acceptance of this wonderful revelation I felt mentally unbounded. After having been out of school more than twenty-five years, and not previously having had consistent high school work, I was able to pass the entrance examination in a state university and to enroll in regular classes. The preparation for this step was both pleasant and easy.
Later, at a time when my contemporaries were beginning to talk of retiring, it became necessary for me to take into my home my two infant grandsons. I had been alone a number of years. This presented so great a challenge that I tried several times to make other arrangements which I felt would be better for the children, but each time the responsibility came back to me and, consequently, the boys grew up in my home. These words from Hymn No. 190 in the Christian Science Hymnal gave me much encouragement:
Things deemed impossible I dare,
Thine is the call and Thine the care,
Thy wisdom shall the way prepare;
Thy will be done.
Through complete reliance upon God for strength and courage all our needs were met, and what at first seemed so great a challenge was resolved into a very precious experience. These boys are adults now and one of them has graduated from a state university.
When one of these little boys was four years of age, I found him on the floor early one morning pulling himself along with his arms. I picked him up and stood him on his bed but his legs crumpled under him. He was unable to use his legs. This seemed a very alarming situation but in obedience to the admonition on page 392 of Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, "Stand porter at the door of thought," I endeavored to shut out the fears. I rejected the suggestion that this child, who was in reality the perfect idea, or reflection, of God, could possibly manifest any condition unlike God, good. The Scriptures assure us that God made all that was made and that it was good. I reasoned that this good was expressed in health and harmony and could not be reversed. A friend sat with the child during the day and another friend supported me in my prayer for him, and the following morning he was completely healed.
About twenty years ago I was healed of two fractured ribs through complete reliance on prayer. In a car accident I had been thrown heavily against the steering wheel. On page 424 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy writes, "Accidents are unknown to God, or immortal Mind, and we must leave the mortal basis of belief and unite with the one Mind, in order to change the notion of chance to the proper sense of God's unerring direction and thus bring out harmony." Being familiar with this statement, I declared that I was not hurt and refused any assistance. I reasoned that either a thing was or it was not, and that if accidents are unknown to God no accident could really occur, and that I, being the perfect reflection of God, could not be made to believe something about myself that was not really true. The pain subsided and I was able to go by bus to the place where I was visiting and to return by plane to my home the following day. For several days I had to keep my body very erect when I moved about, but was able to fulfill all my duties, and within a few weeks the healing was complete.
Quite recently I was healed of what appeared to be a broken toe. The healing came about on the second day as I sang Hymn No. 310 in the Hymnal. This hymn begins with the words "Sing, ye joyous children, sing," and as I sang, I felt the most wonderful sense of the power of Christ, Truth. Gladness permeated my whole being. I forgot the toe. When I removed the shoe that night the swelling and discoloration were gone and the toe was normal.
In the fifty-one years that I have been a Christian Scientist my whole life has been transformed. Christian Science has uncovered undesirable traits of character for me and helped me to heal them as well as errors of disposition, and has enabled me to express more of the grace of God.
It is with the deepest sense of gratitude and appreciation that I am submitting this testimony as a tribute to Mrs. Eddy, who has revealed to this age the Comforter promised to humanity by the beloved Master, Christ Jesus.
Phoenix, Arizona
