Testimony of Healing June 16, 1906 Issue

In the fall of 1885 I went from Bloomington to Chicago...

Clara E. MacMahon

In the fall of 1885 I went from Bloomington to Chicago to ask for Christian Science treatment, the trouble being a disease of the nerves which had afflicted me for several years and which the physicians had pronounced incurable. I was thoroughly healed in three weeks' treatment by Christian Science. For two years prior to this, and for one year following, my right wrist was lame. It began with occasional weakness and pain; at first for a short season only, but the attacks grew more frequent and of longer duration, until in the year 1886 the weakness became chronic and a lump appeared, which grew rapidly until it was the size of a bird's egg. A physician who had constant charge of the case said that the condition was incurable. During these months I had but little use of my hand. Most of the time I wrote with my left. During this time I visited London, and needing a new bandage I went to a hospital to have one made. While measuring my wrist I noticed that the physician in charge was examining it carefully, and I asked him if it could be cured. He replied that there was no known cure for it. It is not hard to imagine the unhappiness of a young girl at such an outlook.

In February, 1887, on my return from Europe, I stopped in Chicago at the home of a Christian Scientist. Early in the evening my hand and arm became very painful and I asked my friend if she could help me, expecting only to get relief from pain. Although more than a year before I had been healed of a more serious trouble by Christian Science, I did not then suppose that it could enter the domain of surgery. The reply to my request was that Christian Science could help me, but that I must take off the bandage. This I was afraid to do, but after some hesitation I told my friend that when I was safe in bed I would remove the bandage. I remember still the fear I felt, waiting till the light was out before I drew off the support in which I was trusting. Then I fell asleep and did not waken till morning. Only those who have nursed incurable pain through years can conceive of my joy when I found my wrist sound and strong. I could move it in any direction, stretch the fingers, lift weights, and I speak reverently when I say that in that hour I knew the thought of those whom Jesus had healed. Within three days the lump had disappeared, I never knew when nor how. Several months later I had opportunity to show my wrist to the physician who had tended it. When he asked, "How is the poor wrist?" I stretched out both hands and asked, "Which one was it?" He took both hands, examined them carefully and then said, "I remember which one it was, but in no other way could I have known. Your wrists are now alike. How did it happen?" When I told him, he replied, "It must be so. Christian Science, whatever it is, did it, for it was beyond material surgery." I have only to add that my health, thus established through Christian Science treatment, has been proven permanent.—Clara E. MacMahon, Bloomington, Ill.

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