Testimony of Healing January 2, 1904 ISSUE

It is the practical element in Christian Science which interests...

A. L. McBride

It is the practical element in Christian Science which interests the practical people of to-day. The history of the religions of all people in all ages gives evidence of the bow of promise exhibited in some form by all, but in most of them fulfilment is contingent upon some future condition or event. The apostle says, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

For more than twenty years before accepting Christian Science, I was a member of an orthodox church and much of that time an active church member, a Sunday School officer and teacher, striving for "the substance of things hoped for," but it remained for Christian Science to furnish me with the real "evidence of things not seen."

Faith that is based upon one's own work is a more abiding faith, and we now have a keener appreciation of the Scripture statement. "Show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works," through personal knowledge of instances of healing, and through some understanding of the teachings of our text-book, Science and Health.

Among the instances of Christian Science healing which first interested me is one which is particularly noteworthy for the number of persons who were more or less influenced by it to embrace the teachings of Christian Science. The case was that of a farmer, a personal friend, whom I have known for more than thirty years. He then lived on a farm five miles from the nearest railroad station and thirty miles from a city. He had for some weeks been a sufferer from a severe attack of rheumatism. The joints of his hands, feet, and limbs were so swollen that he was absolutely helpless. He tried every known remedy, and many were suggested by friends and neighbors. A number of different doctors were employed, and he had ample means to pay for relief from any who had the skill or remedies to offer. The doctors frankly told him they could do little for him. They directed that he should have careful nursing, and stated that the only immediate danger was that the disease might suddenly attack a vital organ and cause death without any warning.

Left in this helpless, hopeless condition, he became very despondent. Material means being powerless to help him, his thoughts reverted to God, and he was pondering upon this, when some neighbors called. They had a copy of Science and Health in their home which they were reading, also copies of The Christian Science Journal. In a friendly way they told what they had learned from the text-book, and of the testimonies of healing in the Journals. He was so impressed with the hope of God's help that he ordered his well-filled wallet brought out and turned over to his friends, who were to bring a practitioner from the city of Des Moines, Ia., on the first train. By telegraphing this was done, and in a few days he was healed. That was about ten years ago, and he became an earnest student of Christian Science. Through the understanding he gained, many were healed, and with those directly influenced by these persons and his own case much is traceable to the influence for good of the one copy of Science and Health in the hands of the friendly neighbors. These neighbors were the writer's parents, and this demonstration was to them such powerful "evidence of things not seen" that more than anything else it influenced them to accept Christian Science. The light of Truth has brought into these homes, into these lives, such a peace and harmony as marks the pearl of great price. We have occasion for daily thanksgiving that Mrs. Eddy has endured such trial and self-denials in order to show us the way in Christian Science.—A. L. McBride, Kansas City,Mo

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