During the first decade of the twentieth century, the healing practice of Christian Science and its teachings were finding a wide audience among seekers of many faith traditions. A number of Christians of other churches began to incorporate Christian Science in their own religious practice and devotion. Healing through Christian Science treatment was not an uncommon occurrence for these Christians. The following excerpt is from an account of the healing of Eldress Anna White, an important Shaker leader. She had been unwell for some time, suffering from a rheumatic trouble, weakness, a wracking cough, and other difficulties, and she was not expected to survive when, at the age of seventy-seven, she was attacked by a severe epidemic illness. A Christian Scientist was asked to give treatment. This account of her healing, written by Leila S. Taylor, North Family of Shakers, was published in the December 1907 issue of the Journal.
In The Days that followed, Eldress Anna was visited by the practitioner from Pittsfield, also by the one from New York, and every visit was productive of a steady advance. The case was finally placed in the hands of the Pittsfield practitioner, as the one nearest at hand. Three weeks from the Thursday when she was given up to die, our Eldress walked downstairs and out-of-doors, walked about, and sat in the sunshine for fifteen or twenty minutes, went in and walked upstairs; nor was she tired or exhausted. Four weeks from the same date, she had a good ride, and the next weekly anniversay she walked to the nearest family in the village, where she had not been able to go for more than a year, made a long call, and enjoyed her walk home. By the fifteenth of September, she had returned to her place in the family, and Oct. 1, after a happy week at the seashore and with Christian Science friends in New York City, she resumed her duties. Her appetite is better than at any time since she was a girl, there is no difficulty in going up or down stairs, her color and look are natural and better than for several years. Friends say it is a miracle. Eldress Anna herself says it is perfectly natural, as Truth and Love are natural.
Eldress Anna is a thorough convert, and is constantly studying and demonstrating the truth as given in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mrs. Eddy. Others in the family are with her, and many more are awakened to interest and inquiry.
