In the year 1902, I read in a church calendar a malicious...

A Schoepp

In the year 1902, I read in a church calendar a malicious squib about Christian Science and did not think much of it, because it seemed nothing new to me to read about conflicting opinions of different religious denominations. Later on a neighbor told me something of Christian Science and I read some of its literature. I also attended their services in order to judge righteously.

Last spring when my wife was dangerously ill, we turned to Christian Science and sent for a practitioner, and through the efficacy of the Scientist's prayer, she soon regained her health. Recently I had the following experience in our neighbor's home, where several young Russians live who are working in factories here. One of them, a strong, fine youth, who often plays with our children, was suddenly attacked with bowel complaint and suffered intensely. The physicians had him removed to a hospital and insisted upon an operation. A friend of this youth, who had has some bad experience with physicians in the case of a broken arm, prevented the operation and had the patient brought home.

He was in bed, suffering intensely, and in this condition I found him when I called there. I asked whether he took any medicine to relieve his suffering. They told me that the physician had called that same day, but had not prescribed any medicine because he believed that an operation alone could help him. I offered to call in a doctor, but they did not accept this, because they had lost confidence in them.

I then told them to turn to God and advised Christian Science, telling them that he might be healed through the efficacy of prayer. I could see the hopeful expression in the patient's face, and he asked me how much it would cost him. I told him that in case he were not able to pay, no money would be demanded, for Christian Scientists are not greedy after money. Yet I also said, "If you have a child baptized, you pay the minister; if you have a funeral in you family, you pay the expenses. And therefore, if you are able to pay, why should you not pay the Scientist for his time? He may be compelled to work for you all night."

The Scientist was sent for and he began his work quietly. The patient enjoyed a refreshing sleep that night, the second day was taking a walk in the garden, and in a few days was healed and went back to his work. Therefore we say, "Glory be to God."

Thus it is that I have found Christian Science to be the very opposite of what that church calendar claimed it was. I have found a people who trust in God, in the Bible, in prayer. It is just what mankind needs and is seeking after, and instead of condemning Christian Science from the pulpit and spreading false accusations, we should look into it and find that "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

If we all do that, we shall welcome our Christian friends and the future will bring the Master's words to pass: "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

I agree with him who said that the nation cannot be saved through strife and dogmatics, but by the gospel of Jesus Christ, which demands and advances works of love.

That God will bless the work of Christian Science is my conviction, and although I am not yet a member of the Christian Science Church, I write these lines truthfully, trusting in the love of God.

A Schoepp, Sheboygan, Wis.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Testimony of Healing

When I was about the age of twelve, my father, who was...

December 26, 1903

Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit