Testimony of Healing October 12, 1907 Issue

I had scarcely heard of Christian Science three years ago...

N. D. Arni

I had scarcely heard of Christian Science three years ago when I came to California. We had been here but two weeks when a gentleman told us of his healing. He said he had spent a great deal of money to regain his health, but had at last become discouraged and decided to try Christian Science. He did so and was healed. He explained the Christian Scientist's understanding of God, which seemed beautiful to me. It was different from anything I had ever heard before. I had not the least inclination to doubt the man's word, yet I thought very little of it at the time. As time passed on a terrible sense of homesickness fastened itself upon me. I was discouraged, miserable, and unhappy. For some time previous to this I had been in a very weak and nervous condition. In the opinion of my friends, relatives, and family physician, I had no constitution and need never expect to be strong.

I kept on hearing things in favor of Christian Science, and also things against it, yet I had a desire to know what it really was. It had always seemed to me, since I was old enough to think for myself, that the work of Christianity is to heal the sick as well as to preach the gospel. I knew that what I had experienced of the Christian life was not in accord with the teaching of Jesus, who taught purity of heart and salvation from all unrighteousness, even wrong thinking. For years the fear of hell had been most terrible. When I was not afraid for myself I was afraid for some one else. I did not want any one to be sent there, and I did not then know that our mental state makes our heaven or hell.

In this sense of confusion and wonderment I earnestly and prayerfully took up the Bible, which I had always read a great deal, but which was so misinterpreted and therefore misunderstood by false human opinion that it had become a mystery to me, rather than "a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." I now took it up with a determination to find the truth which I knew it must contain. I tried to read and study all the things Jesus and his disciples had said. Days and weeks passed as I studied earnestly and faithfully, and the truths, as they opened up to me one by one, were wonderful and beautiful. I knew it was light from God, showing me man's relation to Him. No longer was I afraid of being led away by Christian Science. I got a copy of the text-book, Science and Health, from the public library and began reading it. Needless to say, I found it just what it is represented to be, the "Key to the Scriptures." As I read and studied the book I suddenly found that all the old ailments had disappeared into their native nothingness. No more nervousness, with nights of tossing and weeping. No more wishing for death to rid me of my troubles. I had learned that all we had ever expected to gain of peace and happiness was for us here and now, for Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven is within. He also said that this kingdom is at hand. It is only for us to accept the precious promises which God has given us,—"Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace." We cannot hope to attain all good at one bound, but we grasp a little each day as we work out the problem of being in the one Mind.

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