Testimony of Healing February 4, 1905 Issue

While attending school I was often troubled by my defective...

Ainslie G. McDougall

While attending school I was often troubled by my defective eyesight. My eyes were very weak, and at times I was forced to remain at home and sit in a dark room, as the light aggravated the trouble and caused severe pain. One day, when my uncle was at home, I spoke of my determination to get a pair of glasses. (I had already been wearing blue glasses when out of doors to protect my eyes from the dazzling snow.) My uncle protested against this, however, for he had been reading the Christian Science text-book, and he gave me some very convincing illustrations to show that the mind ruled the body completely. His statements greatly impressed me, and shortly afterwards we received a copy of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy. One evening (I shall never forget it), I chanced to hear my mother reading selections from this book to my grandmother. In the part which she read, Mrs. Eddy spoke of the unreality of sickness. This appealed to me as such an original and beautiful idea that I resolved to read the book. From the very first I thought the logic faultless; the original and matchless manner in which the ideas were expressed gave me real delight, and I longed to prove the infallibility of the statements made. I had but a short time to wait, for before I had read Science and Health through my eyes were healed and I realized perfect freedom of sight. I had no occasion to use my blue glasses again, as the snow had no ill effects on my eyes. But this was not all, for not long afterwards I could not attend school as I was suffering from a very bad cold. No one in my home was yet interested in Christian Science, and my mother urged me to use the accustomed remedies. I refused, however, for I was convinced of the truth of Christian Science, and I thought "Now is my opportunity to prove this." The little knowledge which I had was applied, and the result was most satisfactory. In a much shorter time than usual I was completely cured. Now, as I look back to that time, so many physical demonstrations have since been made that I would require a booklet to enumerate them all.

I found Christian Science of inestimable value while pursuing my studies. It enabled me to demonstrate over fatigue so that, if the occasion required it, I could study until early in the morning with no ill effects. Spiritually, Christian Science has indeed proven itself to be a "pearl of great price." I used to read the Bible simply because I felt it a duty; now it affords me true joy to read it, for its meaning is lucid. Whereas formerly I used to be often overcome by the gloomiest moods, now I am learning that joy is permanent, and whereas I used to think mostly of self, now I am learning to think more of others. A thousand and one fears which used to assail me, have fled as mists of error before the sunlight of Truth. I am learning to love those whom, in the old thought, I would have been disposed to hate.

We as Christian Scientists may well love and reverence the one through whose unceasing labors we have been so richly blessed. We can never fully realize what Mrs. Eddy, as the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, has had to contend with, and we wish we could tell her personally just what the truth has done for us. There is, however, a better way of showing our gratitude, and that is by emulating her example — healing disease and destroying sin in our selves and others.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Testimony of Healing

To be able to bear witness to the great healing power of...