Testimony of Healing November 9, 1907 Issue

While studying the Lesson-Sermon "Christian Science"...

Abner Haley

While studying the Lesson-Sermon "Christian Science" the thought kept coming to me to tell others what Christian Science means to me. When I was married, seven years ago, and went to live in my new home, I knew nothing of this beautiful teaching, but there was one member of my husband's family of the Christian Science faith, and the only one I knew who had any knowledge of it. I drifted into it somehow, without being aware of the fact. I was ever on the alert for a practical religion, something that would satisfy, but did not know where to go to find it, and thought then in my limited understanding that perhaps I was the only one dissatisfied with religion. I always felt that I had no religion but I would not admit this openly nor did I like to admit it to myself. I joined an orthodox church because my father and mother belonged there and most of my associates, but the question of religion was never answered for me until I came into the light of Christian Science. Then for the first time I found something that would satisfy, something I could take with me as I was about my work, and when my work was over, anywhere I happened to go. It was then I learned to pray aright. The reading of the chapter on "Prayer" in Science and Health lifted a great weight from off my thought. The moment I had devoured the first few lines, on that never-to-be-forgotten occasion, I knew I had found "the pearl of great price."

It is only about three years since I began to put into practice my little understanding. When about to start on a long journey out West with my little son, then barely two years of age, who had been taking all kinds of cough medicine, I concluded to leave all material remedies behind. We started in midwinter with the melting of a heavy snow. People said, "You will kill your child to take him out without medicine, and on that long trip, too." I then asked the Scientists to help me overcome this fear, with the result that the cough was left behind with the medicine. The child never had a cough on the trip, and I could write on and on of the many beautiful demonstrations I have had in my family of three since that memorable time when the line of demarcation was drawn indelibly between Mind and medicine. Now I do not have to wonder whether I have religion, but know that only as I have pure and good thoughts and actions am I living the only religion there is to live. Then I am happy, because I know I am reflecting the works and teachings of the Master. I know better each day how to appreciate Mrs. Eddy's teachings and realize that "every day makes its demands upon us for higher proofs rather than professions of Christian power" (Science and Health, p. 233).

Mrs. Abner Haley, Gleason, Tenn.

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