Testimony of Healing November 23, 1899 Issue

Demonstration over an Accident

Eliza Bruce Ryan

Mindful of the injunction to bring our tithes into the storehouse, and not to listen to the subtle suggestion of error which says, "Don't write," I wish to tell of a demonstration over what seemed to be a severe accident, while attempting to get off an electric car after it had started. I was on the running-board, and finding the car was not the one I wanted, tried to step down, not realizing the speed, and was thrown upon my back into the street. There was perhaps a moment of unconsciousness before I was lifted to my feet and surrounded by anxious friends and spectators. I was able to realize the Truth instantly, and to declare audibly that I was not hurt, was perfectly well and able to continue our trip, during which I treated mentally as well as I could. I seemed to grow worse rapidly. No bones were broken; the injuries being wholly internal, but when our destination was reached I could hardly drag one foot after the other, but refused all offers of help from the Scientists who were with me, because I felt the time had come to rely upon my own understanding of Christian Science healing, as taught in our text-book. Science and Health. I ate my dinner with the others, but when we started to return home I had to be carried to and from the train, boat, car, and carriage to my home. Those who saw me afterwards hobbing about with a cane will testify to the severity of the claim.

In the old thought I could not have risen above the evidence of the senses, and should have gone to a hospital or spent weeks in bed at home, and perhaps have become a cripple. But in Christian Science I never doubted for a moment that God would heal me, and could feel the claims yield to the power of Truth from day to day. I never gave up for an hour nor accepted any of the kindly offers of help in my household duties, and was cheerful and happy all the time. Later on I found that leaning so heavily on the cane and throwing my weight upon the least injured side caused it in turn to become so lame and stiff that I could not move without excruciating pain, and I saw that my cane must be laid aside and I must try to walk without it. This seemed difficult, since from the extent of my injuries I could not tell whether I should break into pieces or fall over like a log at the first step. So one morning, in addition to the regular treatment, I opened my Bible at the ninth chapter of Matthew and studied it long and faithfully, and then I committed the closing paragraph on page 360 in Science and Health to memory, and went into my bedroom to try the experiment of putting one foot before the other, but holding the cane in my hand and standing so as to fall upon the bed. A few timid attempts showed me that all material aid must be put aside, and once more trusting to the power of Truth I put the cane away and took the first step with fear and trembling and much suffering. It was some weeks before I was fully healed. The accident happened the last week in July, and by the first of September all outward manifestations had disappeared, and I have been perfectly well and free from pain since. It is beyond the feeble efforts of my pen to express my gratitude and love to Mrs. Eddy for having shown me the way out of all error, physical and mental.

I should like to say to those who have criticised the prices of Christian Science literature and treatment, that my only expenses for this accident was one dollar for being carried from boat and train. My outlay for Mrs. Eddy's books and class instruction do not compare with what my bills would have been under materia medica.

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