Testimony of Healing September 18, 1902 Issue

A recent Lesson-Sermon touching the subject gratitude,...

Clifford P. Smith

A recent Lesson-Sermon touching the subject gratitude, made me see more clearly that I ought to contribute to our Wednesday evening meetings and our Journal and Sentinel. The benefits which I have already received through Christian Science are manifold and, if not practically innumerable, are too numerous to be fully recounted here. Let me commence with the first. For several years prior to 1897, while studying and practising law, I was greatly handicapped by trouble with my eyes. In 1890 or 1891 I consulted a well-known specialist, who said the principal cause of the trouble was hyper-metropia (long-sightedness) and weakness or partial paralysis of the ciliary muscles, especially of one eye. This was subsequently confirmed by two other oculists. The first physician treated me for some time, fitted me with new glasses, and advised me to curtail my reading or change my occupation. The second treated me over a year, changed my glasses several times, ordered me to wear them all the time and further limit my reading. The third gave me medicine to reduce the inflammation, which was a constant symptom, and refitted my glasses once or twice. None of them promised any permanent relief, without a change of occupation. From 1893 to 1897, I wore glasses constantly, saved my limited amount of eyesight for most necessary reading, and seldom passed a day without pain and inflammation about my eyes.

Two of my friends were Christian Scientists, and they spoke of Christian Science opportunely and lent me Science and Health. I was favorably impressed with its religious teaching, and in February, 1897, wrote for treatment to one of my Christian Scientist friends, who had meanwhile removed to Evanston, Ill. A decided improvement was perceptible almost from the first, and in just two weeks I removed my glasses and have never felt the need of them since. Moreover, I soon found that I could read as much as occasion required, and such has been the fact ever since. It was a great delight to work and read freely, and to be wholly free from the fear of being obliged to give up my profession.

Since then I have felt and applied the nature and practical possibilities of divine Love in many ways (Message to the Mother Church, June, 1901, p. 4), and now praise God with increased understanding. Naturally, I am also grateful to our beloved Leader, who has voiced the truth to this age, and to my good friends who put me in the way of knowing it.—Clifford P. Smith, Mason City, Ia.

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