Testimony of Healing November 3, 1906 Issue

In 1890 Christian Science was but little known in the...

M. P. Richardson

In 1890 Christian Science was but little known in the West, and less understood. In July, 1900, I had heard of one case of Christian Science healing, but I do not remember that it produced any impression on me. A year before I had graduated from college and was pretty well committed to physical science, so called, and particularly to the physiological basis of health,—fresh air, dieting, and exercise,—yet I had suffered from stomach trouble for years and was in general poor health. I believed in God and prayed that I might have health to do my work in the world, but I was unable to work more than a few hours a day. My prayer was answered when one day I saw a book on the library table at home which some one had borrowed but had not been sufficiently interested to read. The book was "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy. The title attracted me. Science I liked, and I was certainly interested in health. I took it up and from the first I accepted every statement without demurring, but I then had no interest in any of the chapters beyond "Science of Being." My health returned and in a few weeks I was stronger than I had been in five years. I have never since paid any attention to exercise or dieting as a means of getting or retaining health, and I was permanently rid of the stomach trouble. The book had, however, overturned the fundamental concept of life which I had held and which all whom I knew held to be true. I was therefore afraid to talk about my new-found treasure, and as I believed I no longer needed the book for health, it was returned to its owner.

Two or three years went by and I finally found that I again had need of the "little book," so I purchased a copy. It never failed to help me when I read it, but the healing came more slowly than it did on the previous occasion. I wanted nothing to do with the spiritual teaching; it was the healing of physical sickness that I was looking for, and that alone. I finally sought out the little meeting of Christian Scientists which was noticed in the local papers, and thus became acquainted gradually with the thought of those who knew more of the subject, and I was proportionately helped, physically as well as mentally. I learned something of the infinite mental and spiritual possibilities of this Science. It must solve all our problems; we cannot "limit, in any direction of thought, the omnipresence and omnipotence of God" (Science and Health, p. 445).

M. P. Richardson, Janesville, Wis.

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