It is with heartfelt gratitude that I give this testimony. From the age of four I had been in several hospitals for a chest complaint. A physician told my parents that I would always be a delicate child, and he held little hope for the future. After one examination it was advised I enter a convalescent home where the air was suitable—two homes, one in Surrey, another in Sussex, were recommended. Between the ages of six and ten I had spent well over two and a half years in them.
After I returned home for a week or so, the problem would start again. A specialist then informed my parents that I was suffering from chronic bronchial asthma and advised I enter a clinic in Switzerland. I asked my mother many times not to give her consent, and I will always be grateful to her for granting my wishes. It was then suggested that I attend an open-air school; this I did for three years. On leaving school at fourteen I also left the care of the hospital and registered with a local physician.
After many years of suffering and loss of employment I wondered if life was worth living. At this point the doctor suggested the use of an inhalant. The one who dispensed it, in advising me on its use, said, "All you need is a little faith and it will work." At the word "faith" I was quite shaken in my thoughts. I asked myself, "What is faith?" and "What am I putting my faith in?" The more I thought about it the more worried I became. Though not a very religious man, the commandment (Ex. 20:3) "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" was often in my thoughts.
A few weeks afterward I had several conversations with my neighbor on the subject of the healing works of Jesus. He said, "I know something about Christian Science." Together we attended a Wednesday evening testimony meeting in a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, and it was then that I realized that the divine power of the works of Christ Jesus is here for all time. I later purchased a copy of Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy. After studying the book for a time I came to a passage that opened my eyes (p. 343): "Jesus strips all disguise from error, when his teachings are fully understood. By parable and argument he explains the impossibility of good producing evil." After studying this passage for some time I went to the cupboard, collected all medicines, and disposed of them. My parents thought that I had taken leave of my senses! I continued to study Science and Health, although for a while the attacks were more frequent.
For about a year I had known someone whom I wished to marry. Her parents were not happy about the idea. However, we decided to get married a year later. We both attended a branch church, and two years later I joined its membership.
I sought the help of a Christian Science practitioner for the physical difficulty. A crisis arose at my place of employment and a doctor was called who diagnosed pneumonia and prescribed drugs. My wife asked if I were going to take drugs or rely on Christian Science. I asked her to telephone the practitioner. The drugs were disposed of. With the strong, effective prayer of the practitioner I was up in three days and back at work in a week. The doctor called a few days later and advised an X ray. I mentioned this to the practitioner, who quoted from Science and Health (p. 504), "The rays of infinite Truth, when gathered into the focus of ideas, bring light instantaneously, whereas a thousand years of human doctrines, hypotheses, and vague conjectures emit no such effulgence." I clung to this passage and to one from the Bible (Gen. 1:26), "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." The X-ray report to the office of my employment was negative. I was very grateful for this result.
During the summer months, on an outing to a town in Sussex, I was taken ill. Thoughts came to me: thirty years ago I was sent here for my health; now it has made me ill. Why? It is the same air, so nothing has changed. Mrs. Eddy tells us in Science and Health (p. 377): "Invalids flee to tropical climates in order to save their lives, but they come back no better than when they went away. Then is the time to cure them through Christian Science, and prove that they can be healthy in all climates, when their fear of climate is exterminated."
With the faithful, consistent prayer of the practitioner, and my own steady growth in understanding, I was completely healed. What a joy to be able to do things I had never been able to do without fatigue. I am so grateful for the revelation that man in reality can only reflect the qualities of his creator.
I am grateful to my wife, who helped me during difficult times. She later became a member of The Mother Church and a branch church.
For the privilege of serving as Second Reader and for membership in The Mother Church and a branch church I am very grateful. "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift" (II Cor. 9:15). I am grateful for Christ Jesus, our Way-shower, and for Mrs. Eddy, our revered Leader, who has given this wonderful Science for all mankind to share.
London, England
