Testimony of Healing October 26, 1907 ISSUE

Without doubt the great majority come to Christian Science...

A. L. Van Arsdall

Without doubt the great majority come to Christian Science in search of health and usually as a last resource. Stricken with disease, they travel far and near, try all the "isms and pathies," but wothout success. Finally, in the very midnight of their despair, they turn to divine Principle, God, infinite good, as understood in Christian Science, and are healed. One who has spent even few hours upon a couch of pain knows how sweet it is to find surcease from suffering at the hands of a kind and faithful physician,—be the relief ever so fleeting and temporary. And yet, the sweetness of the relief from resorting to the material is as gall to honey, compared to the sweetness of the peace which comes to one who has been freed from suffering by spiritual means, by the understanding that man is the image and likeness, therefore the forever reflection, of the one infinite creator, Spirit, God. Such an one knows beyond the shadow of a doubt that his Redeemer liveth, though hitherto doubts may have held sway in his consciousness.

I did not come to Christian Science seeking health, although it has healed me of colds, headaches, and stomach and throat trouble, in the last two years. Enjoying good health, my selfishness and prejudice argued that it could be of no particular benefit or interest to me. Under these circumstances it is quite likely that I would never have investigated Science unless forced to do so, as thousands upon thousands testify to have been their experience. I am very grateful that this was not a necessary part of my salvation. By reason of a case of healing which came under my immediate observation, I was led to read "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy. I was told that it was the text-book of the Science of Mind-healing; that it contained a complete exposition of the subject, a knowledge of which any one might acquire and prove to his entire satisfaction in the trials and experiences of daily life. Previous to the healing of the case just mentioned, and while it was under treatment, I had endeavored to read Science and Health several times in much the same spirit that one takes up a magazine. Turning to different chapters, the headings of which seemed to indicate interesting subjects, I had read a few paragraphs, or pages at most, and each time had cast it aside. I was quite positive that it was full of contradictions and misstatements.

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