Testimony of Healing February 4, 1905 Issue

I did not come to Christian Science for physical benefits,...

Eva B. Yates with contributions from Mollie J. Barnard

I did not come to Christian Science for physical benefits, but through the healing work done for others, which I had seen. I became interested, and saw that while I had no physical ailments I much needed the truth to heal me of pride, envy, jealousy, and especially sensitiveness. From childhood I had been extremely sensitive and at times suffered very much from hurt feelings, but after coming into Christian Science I found that sensitiveness is selfishness and self-love, and through the understanding of this wonderful truth these evils have been in a measure overcome. I wish to give an experience I had recently along this line. One day, while talking with a friend, I was much surprised to hear her make unkind remarks about one who was dear to me. In an instant I felt very rebellious, and while I remarked in a calm tone that she did not understand this person, I was having a severe inward struggle to keep from hating her. Although I tried earnestly to destroy this discordant feeling, it did not seem to yield, and the next day found me with a very severe sense of physical suffering. Error suggested a physical cause for the pain, but that evening, while in conversation with a Christian Scientist, this suffering was mentioned and she said, "How easy it is for us to look for a physical cause. You have admitted a power apart from God." The instant she spoke the word "power" it aroused me to see what I had been doing. Instead of keeping my thought pure and full of love, I had allowed thoughts of hatred to creep in, and this physical manifestation was the result.

The next morning the pain had entirely disappeared. This was a beautiful lesson to me, — a proof that we must pray without ceasing, lest we enter into temptation. Christian Science has done so much for me that I feel the only way I can express my gratitude is by living the truth revealed to us through our dear Leader, Mrs. Eddy.

Mrs. Eva B. Yates, Chicago. Ill.

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