Testimony of Healing October 8, 1904 Issue

I have long wished to acknowledge through our periodicals...

E. L. H.

I have long wished to acknowledge through our periodicals my gratitude to Christian Science. When it came to me I was in sore need of aid, had tried everything from medicine to massage, also had spent one winter South. I was at that time a devoted follower of an orthodox church, and believed with all my childish faith what I had always been taught, that God sent all my disease and suffering. I did not, therefore, want Christian Science and would not have taken a treatment if my mother had not almost compelled me. I remember saying to the practitioner that if I had to have faith to be healed, it was useless for me to take any treatments, as I knew she could not heal me. She replied by asking me how I could have faith in something I knew nothing about; to wait until I began to improve and then I would "have faith." The fact that within two weeks' time I was entirely and perfectly healed and well, able to start to school, proves that healing may be effected when there is little or no faith.

Even after this wonderful healing I did not accept Science nor care to know what it was that healed me. I was satisfied with my church and was glad that I had found something that could heal, as I had no faith whatever in doctors. About two years after I was healed, I joined an orthodox church. Perhaps I should still be attending it if one time when I called upon my practitioner for help she had not said that it was time I was doing my own work, I could no longer use her as a physician, that Christian Science was demonstrable, and I must study and demonstrate for myself. At that time this seemed very unjust, and I could not understand why she would not be willing to do my work if I were willing to pay her. This proves the unfairness of the accusation that Christian Scientists are practising because it is a lucrative business. Since then I have been very grateful for the awakening which came to me through this faithful Scientist. Soon I began to attend Christian Science services and gradually lost interest in my former church, because I found in Science that which I had never found elsewhere.

I am now a member of The Mother Church, and also of Fifth Church of Christ, Scientist, of Chicago. I have never regretted any step that I have taken. Divine Love does meet "every human need" (Science and Health, p. 494), and it satisfies. I am learning in what true happiness consists; that it is not dependent upon material conditions or personality. I am striving to live up to my highest understanding, and though the way is long and there is much to overcome, our reward is sure, and for every effort in the right direction we receive an hundredfold. The Sentinel and Journal are continuous helps, also the Lesson-Sermons. Only by living Christian Science can we express our gratitude to Mrs. Eddy for Science and Health, and for her pure and blameless life.

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