In 1920 I was in a large hospital in this city with an infection of a toe. A consultation of four physicians resulted in the decision that amputation was necessary. I would not consent to this and asked to be taken to my home, a request that was granted the next day. While the doctors were talking, this thought came to me: Go home and read that book '"Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy.
Christian Science had been presented to me two years previously, and I had heard that one could be healed by reading Science and Health. The seed of Truth had been sown, and I reached out to God in my extremity. I borrowed Science and Health from a friend and fairly ate it up, reading night and day, with the result that I had a complete healing in five days, much to the amazement of the medical profession.
One of the first statements given to me by a practitioner was that God is ever present. The truth of this statement was proved in the protection of a small daughter about six years of age. One evening, while the child and I were walking with a friend, this friend asked her to post a letter across the street. As the child left the sidewalk to return to us she did not see a car approaching until she was off the curb and in the street. When she saw it she turned to go back to the sidewalk and fell full length to the ground.
People screamed, and the brakes of the car screeched. I knew I could not reach the child; so I turned my back on the picture of the senses and prayed to God with all my heart, declaring aloud, "God is ever present; God is everywhere present; God is with the child." When I gained my peace I turned around. The car had stopped with its wheels resting against the child's side, but they had not passed over her body. She jumped up looked into my face, and said, "I was not afraid." I thanked the driver of the car, and all that he said was, "I did not do it."
Our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy, writes (Science and Health, p. 449), "A grain of Christian Science does wonders for mortals, so omnipotent is Truth, but more of Christian Science must be gained in order to continue in well doing."I had only a grain of understanding, but I used what I had, and instantly the recognition of God's presence saved the child's life. My gratitude was unbounded. It was as though I were standing on holy ground, oblivious of all around me. This experience has always been very sacred to me.
Sick headaches of long standing, inflammatory rheumatism, scarlet fever, burns, severe cuts, goiter, and many other discordant conditions have been overcome for the members of my family. The mesmeric belief of lack during the depression was broken by my learning to share. I joined The Mother Church and a branch church, participating in the activities of the latter. A few years later I had the joyous privilege of class instruction.
I am grateful for the love and devotion of a dear sister who helped me to stand firm in the truth when the way seemed dark and a healing was slow. There were lessons to be learned through the experience, however, and persistent effort brought results. The practitioners, who give unstintingly of their time and understanding to break the dream of sense testimony and awaken thought to the verities of Soul, also deserve much gratitude.
I am also grateful to God the Giver of all good. Surely the kingdom of heaven is manifested in one's human experience when he is obedient to Him.— Oakland, California.
I am the sister referred to in the above . testimony and witnessed the healings mentioned. I too am grateful for many blessings received from the study and application of Christian Science. Membership in The Mother Church and active service in a Christian Science Society have helped me in many ways.
The writings of our revered Leader, our weekly Lesson-Sermons in the Christian Science Quarterly, our periodicals, and our lectures are helping humanity to understand Truth.— Nevada City, California.
