Testimony of Healing August 5, 1905 Issue

For seven years before coming into Christian Science I...

C. Louise Richardson

For seven years before coming into Christian Science I was a member of an orthodox church. I used to read the Bible and get some help from it, but now I can see how little of it I understood at that time. I occasionally heard of Christian Science through friends in another city, and felt that it was right. They loaned me a copy of The Christian Science Journal which they had, although they were not Scientists. I wished to know more of this subject, but did not know how to gain the desired knowledge. However, God was leading me, for in June, 1903, after reading in the daily paper of the Communion at The Mother Church, the determination was formed to learn something of this religion which healed both sickness and sin. The paper told of people who were healed by reading Science and Health, and this seemed very wonderful. Knowing that there was a Reading Room in the city, I went there to buy a Journal. The lady in charge was an acquaintance, and she invited me to attend the church services. For ten years I had worn glasses for weak eyes; they were always necessary when reading, sewing, or riding, or when the eyes were tired. The second Sunday that I attended church, the glasses were worn, and during the reading of the Lesson-Sermon, my eyes feeling rested, I removed the glasses and carried them home in my hand. It was not until Wednesday that I noticed the glasses had been reposing in their case since Sunday; and although I had never heard of healing at a church service, I knew that my eyes were strengthened and cured. This seemed a great proof of divine Love, and gave me a greater desire to learn more of the truth. I bought a copy of Science and Health and have been a constant student since.

All my life I had not been strong, and had taken much medicine. Later I took up the study of physical culture and hygiene, and became a teacher of these branches. I believed that this was helping humanity, but while it seemed to benefit me somewhat, it was not satisfactory, and I know now that it was spiritual help which was needed. I used to be discouraged, have the "blues," and not care whether I lived or died; now, these conditions seldom are felt and much more strength is realized. After being bound by the supposed laws of hygiene what a glorious uplifting is felt when we realize our freedom as children of God! Of course it was a struggle to overcome the material beliefs of gaining health by diet and exercise, but the results are well worth the battle. Since studying Science and Health, I have had many demonstrations of the power of Truth over error, and I am also able to help others. It is beautiful to know we can apply our religion to every problem in daily life.

One day, while playing with a dog, he became rough and bit into my thumb and forefinger. I felt it at the time, but no pain followed: however, when I entered the house I noticed that the flesh on the joint of the finger was torn and bleeding. Washing off the blood, I denied the error, but did no further work. In the night I awoke with a sense of pain in the wound, which seemed to extend to the tip of the finger. Knowing the mortal mind law regarding the bite of a dog, fear manifested itself. Without looking at the finger, I took Science and Health and began to read. In half an hour I realized that, as my life was indestructible, neither dog-bites nor anything else had power to injure it. The fear was entirely gone, and the finger healed quickly.

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