Testimony of Healing April 22, 1905 Issue

Like many others, I came to Christian Science for healing...

Charles Augustus Butler

Like many others, I came to Christian Science for healing at a time when I was a physical wreck, sick and weary of the way of materia medica, which I had been trying for five long years. My trouble was caused by a kick in the left side by an animal, and it resulted in an injury which medicine failed to cure. The untold suffering, both mental and physical, could not be described by pen, nor would space permit. At this stage I was asked to try Christian Science, but having been a member of an orthodox church and also of a religious society for eighteen years, and a Bible student since the age of seventeen, I had little faith in Christian Science. As my friend insisted, however, I consented to read some of the literature, and the goodly pearl which I had long been looking for was found. In 1896 I began treatment, but will say for the benefit of those who read this, that I had to be tried and purified before the healing was realized. My case was slow in yielding, the mental stagnation was hard to break, and the battle between sense and Soul was at hand. Through this, my suffering seemed to be greater than before; I became skeptical, and it seemed that I could not live, for pain. At the time of this struggle, I received a letter from the practitioner which aroused me. I knew there was no help in medicine and begged her to try me a while longer, which she did. During this time I made up my mind to stand for Christian Science, and thanks to God and the faithful practitioner the battle was won, and like hundreds of others I stand a living monument for the truth. I have read and studied the "little book," and thus I have come to understand something of the Life that knows no death, the Truth that knows no error, the God that knows no sin, disease, sickness, or death.

I have had many proofs by demonstrations; one I will speak of. I had been subject to cramps from childhood until this illness was mastered by Truth. One day the cramps came on in the forenoon, and I had a struggle from ten o'clock until seven in the evening. I left my work about four o'clock, as I could not communicate with my practitioner except by a letter that would not reach its destination till the following day, and there being no Scientist at hand, the work was for me to do. I did all I knew, I prayed for a long time, but suffering as I was, I could hardly get to my feet with the intense pain. Then I decided to make one more attempt, and cried, "If Christian Science is true, this pain is a lie and there is no truth in it." Like Jacob of old, my trouble ceased and I was free,—such freedom I can never forget. Peace, sweet peace,—no tongue can tell but those who have had the experience. From that time on the cramps have been a thing of the past. This experience was the link that has bound me to Truth and Love, not for a day, but for all time.

I feel grateful to our Leader for the rich food, for the mental as well as for the physical health, as healthy thought makes a healthy body. I feel grateful for all that Truth has done for me and my home, and may God's blessing continue to keep the one who has so faithfully shown us the way.

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