Testimony of Healing May 13, 1905 Issue

Three years ago I was forced because of ill health to close...

Porter Bolles Jordan

Three years ago I was forced because of ill health to close my office in a neighboring city and return home. During the journey I met a clergyman with whom I enjoyed a long conversation, in the course of which he told of a recent call to the bedside of a suffering parishioner who believed that her physician was unable to cure her, and deriving no benefit from medicines, had appealed to her pastor to help her by prayer. His reply was that she needed the three P's,—pills, powders, and prayers. At that time my traveling bag was at least half full of drugs and material remedies of various kinds which I systematically used, and for three years I had earnestly prayed to God to relieve my suffering; literally entering the closet of my room and on bended knees uttering my petitions, but during these three years I had gradually grown worse, until it then seemed as if all hope was gone; for coupled with impaired health was the inability to transact business.

The three Ps,—"pills, powders, and prayers!" For a few minutes I pondered the logic of this remark and then asked whether the pills and powders added efficacy to the prayers, or whether the prayers assisted the drugs, and were they both essential to recovery. If that were true, I should be exempt from suffering, because I had a complete stock of medicines, the best medical treatment, and many sincere and loving prayers had been offered for my recovery by several devout and spiritual-minded friends. My sufferings were, however, becoming almost unbearable. All this I told to my acquaintance, and his answer was, that he who had suffered most in this world was also the most beloved of God. That night I tried more earnestly than ever before, to become reconciled in patient obedience to what I supposed to be God's chastening.

A few days after arriving home it was suggested that I try Christian Science treatment, because it offered hope. The first day that I called upon a practitioner I knew that I should be well again. For some time I had been convinced that material remedies were ineffectual, but never had I doubted the ability of prayer to heal, if the prayer could but come from one near enough to God to be a proper channel for His healing love. I then saw that the practitioner knew God and prayed to Him in a way unknown to me, for her prayer was the effectual, fervent prayer which resulted in a remarkable recovery. After only a few weeks of treatment I again resumed business, and have not since then missed one hour because of sickness, nor sought other help at any time than that which comes from God,—the help attained through Christian Science.

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