Article January 9, 1902 Issue

A Dream

BY T. L. ROBERTS.

When a young man in my teens I had a dream which at the time made a deep impression upon me. The memory of it gradually faded from my consciousness, and was virtually forgotten until I had gained some understanding of Christian Science, when it came up again from the archieves of memory to be properly interpreted and duly accredited.

In the light of Christian Science this experience would be a conclusive argument against the reliability of material sense testimony, and was also a case of instantaneous healing. I will relate it as it came to me.

While strolling in an open country pasture containing many granite boulders and occasional lofty pines with long, bare trunks, I espied, two hundred yards or so away and acting rather suspiciously, an Indian with a gun. The instinct for self-preservation caused me quickly to seek shelter behind one of the trees near by, which grew beside a large boulder. Just as I neared this shelter I saw the smoke issue from the muzzle of the Indian's rifle, heard the sharp report, and simultaneously felt a stinging sensation in my heel. Looking downward I saw a hole through the back part of my shoe and saw and felt the blood as I moved my foot about. The horrible knowledge that I was shot through the heel and perhaps maimed for life, rushed into my mind with relentless energy. But it seemed to me I could not have it so. I tried to think that it was all a dream; but my senses at once proceeded to prove to me that it was not a dream. I put my hand upon the rock and, alas, too distinctly felt its hardness and coldness. I saw its grayish whiteness, and saw also about me the trees, grass, and other material objects, together with the cruel redness of the blood dripping from my shoe. I heard the low soughing of the wind through the trees; and I smelled the general fragrance of wood and field.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Divine Love is the Good Shepherd