I would like to express gratitude for my yearly Christian Science Students Association meeting. Assignments my association sends out for study some months before the meeting are always inspiring. Recently we were asked to review St. Paul's life and works, beginning with the book of Acts. We were also asked to study the chapter titled "Christian Science Practice" from Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, and Mrs. Eddy's book Retrospection and Introspection. In addition, we were encouraged to submit testimonies sharing healings that had come through our own prayer. I was eager to do this assignment, but I realized I could not write about a healing that had come through my own work, since I had always had the help of a Christian Science practitioner.
The summer after I received the assignment, I experienced disturbing symptoms in my left side that gave me much concern. There was discomfort in one leg and my chest as well. One morning as I was reading the association assignment, I realized the healing power behind my obedience in fulfilling my duty as a student. Everything I had read was applicable to my situation, and although I considered calling a Christian Science practitioner for help, the thought that I could and should work this out on my own persisted.
As I continued this study day after day, I gained many new insights. St. Paul's experience came alive for me. The chapter "Christian Science Practice" gave me the fundamental spiritual truths to rely on, and I felt a deeper appreciation for our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, after reading Retrospection and Introspection. These statements from Science and Health proved especially inspiring: "Fear, which is an element of all disease, must be cast out to readjust the balance for God. Casting out evil and fear enables truth to outweigh error. The only course is to take antagonistic grounds against all that is opposed to the health, holiness, and harmony of man, God's image" (p. 392). And from page 393: "Rise in the strength of Spirit to resist all that is unlike good. God has made man capable of this, and nothing can vitiate the ability and power divinely bestowed on man."
Needless to say, I was completely healed. I submitted the account of this healing to my association, and the meeting that year was a joyous time of spiritual enlightenment for me.
I am also glad to share a healing that occurred through mental surgery. While spending a summer in Maine, I fell and severely injured my arm. I wanted to have Christian Science treatment, and I asked for help through prayer from a practitioner. I told him I would give the Christian Science treatment my full support through spiritualizing my consciousness. The prayerful work went on for a few days, but I experienced many difficulties, including severe pain.
At that point I felt that perhaps it was wise to have the arm X-rayed. This was done at a small hospital in Maine. The X-rays revealed two fractures near the shoulder. The bones were in place, which made me realize that healing was going on. I was told at the hospital that the staff were only equipped to take X-rays; they had no surgical expertise. My arm was placed in a sling, and I was referred to a doctor in another part of Maine. However, I had no further medical attention.
I was aware that there were other injuries in my arm that needed to be taken care of, and I mentioned this to the practitioner, who continued to pray for me. There was vigorous prayerful work on our part for over two months before the healing was accomplished, and there were many encouraging signs along the way. Every so-called law of mortal mind that came to thought needed to be reduced to its native nothingness. The belief that bones do not readily knit after a certain age had to be proved false. (I was in my middle sixties at the time.) Within a couple of days from the beginning of Christian Science treatment, my arm, which had been almost totally discolored, regained its natural appearance.
A great deal of spiritual progress was made. I developed a much deeper appreciation of my husband and was grateful to him for undertaking certain household duties. Patience grew to displace impatience, frustration was gradually replaced with the assurance of God's complete control, irritation was dispensed with. I began to see more clearly my true identity as God's likeness.
On page 402 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy says, "In Science, no breakage nor dislocation can really occur." And on the same page she tells us, "The time approaches when mortal mind will forsake its corporeal, structural, and material basis, when immortal Mind and its formations will be apprehended in Science, and material beliefs will not interfere with spiritual facts."
The healing is a permanent one. I have full use of my arm, with no restrictions.
This testimony would not be complete without my expressing gratitude for the dedicated Christian Science practitioners, who are available to help us when we need them. When I was a young woman, I came from another country and stayed in the home of a practitioner. I saw Christian Science really lived in that home. As a result, I began reading the Bible Lesson, found in the Christian Science Quarterly. I am indeed indebted to this kind individual, who patiently helped me develop my understanding of Science. I am grateful, too, that since my retirement from a career in teaching, a way has opened up for me to make a small contribution to the Cause of Christian Science. This in turn has provided me with increased opportunities for spiritual growth.
I am very grateful for everything that Christian Science has done for me. Through this teaching all can find their eternal and unimpeachable status as the children of God.
Mystic, Connecticut
