For seven years prior to coming into Christian Science, I suffered from a severe back injury which had left me a partial invalid. To this distressing condition was added colitis, and I was placed on a stringent diet for two years. Various kinds of doctors had done their best to aid me, but I continued to grow worse.
About this time a housekeeper came to care for me, and one day she asked me if I would like to try Christian Science. I had noticed that each time she read to me from the Christian Science Sentinel I derived great comfort, but when she recommended that I have a practitioner, I did not comply immediately. However, one day, when I was more distressed than usual, I requested her to engage a practitioner for me. She did so, and the practitioner came to the house and assured me that all things are possible to God. This gave me a great sense of hope and courage, and following the practitioner's instructions, I very carefully studied pages 221-223 of Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy.
The same evening, for the first time in months, I was able to partake of normal nourishment, and the next day I arose from my bed and had lunch with my family. Thereafter, each day I was able to remain up for extended periods, and I began to gain weight steadily; within ten days I was no longer bedridden. The healing of colitis was complete.
Recovery from the back injury was not immediate. On many occasions I was led to study various messages in the Bible, and through these, as well as through my constant and persistent study of Science and Health, the condition began to yield. I soon found that as my strength returned I could walk longer distances, and the demonstration of freedom was made.
For many years I was subject to chronic laryngitis. I had severe attacks during my early years in England, and when I later went to live in Canada, the difficulty worsened, sometimes lasting for weeks during the extreme winter weather. After coming into Christian Science, I maintained that God controls man's experience. While f did not gain the complete healing the first winter, I continued to obey Mrs. Eddy's injunction (Science and Health, p. 261), "Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts." As a result I was completely released from fear. The laryngitis was healed twenty-five years ago and has not returned.
I have experienced the complete healing of grief in two instances; and the more difficult the situation, the more I felt God's presence sustaining me. For this I am deeply grateful. Members of my family-have experienced healings of St. Vitus's dance, rheumatic fever, eczema, and chronic bilious fever.
My heart overflows with gratitude for our dear Leader, Mrs. Eddy. For membership in The Mother Church and a branch church, for the consecrated work of practitioners who have helped me along the way, and for the opportunity to serve in church activities, I am humbly grateful.— London, England.
