Testimony of Healing April 27, 1907 Issue

In February, 1895, I suffered untold agonies on account of...

Susan E. R. Merrill, Samuel H. Merrill

In February, 1895, I suffered untold agonies on account of injuries received at childbirth. Another physician who was called, after a careful examination said that he was surprised I was still alive. He directed suitable nursing, and thus partial healing was secured. The next year I resumed my school work with a large room of eighth-grade pupils, but I was always in pain, and finally in the second year I became so weak that I had to give up before the close of the winter term. I was considered a nervous wreck, and no one expected me ever to be well again. I had three different physicians, all standing high in the profession, and they did all they could, but finally decided that a surgical operation was the only hope. The surgeon who performed the operation said there was an abnormal growth, and that a second operation would very likely be needed later on. The operation gave some relief, but still it seemed that I never would be well or able to walk much again. I could sit erect for only a few minutes at a time, and although a young woman I was reduced to a mere skeleton and looked old and decrepit. One of my former pupils was a Christian Scientist, and she used to call and talk with me and leave some Christian Science literature. I read what I could, and committed to memory parts of the Bible to which references were made in the testimonies of healing. Soon word came to me that a dear sister in a distant town, who knew nothing of Christian Science, was declared to be dying from internal disease. I immediately went to work with what little I had learned of the truth, declaring God's allness and realizing the truth for her, and thereby she speedily recovered full health and strength and has so continued to this day. My next effort was for myself, when, having severely scalded two of my fingers, I declared the truth vigorously, and the next day the worst burned finger was well and showed no manifestation of soreness.

I longed to try Christian Science fully for myself, but did not know how or where to find a practitioner, so I could only wait for the return of my pupil-friend, who was out of town; yet when she came to see me, and asked me to try Science, my reply was that we had tried so many things and nothing seemed to do any good, that it seemed useless to try any more, when our medical bills were already a heavy burden. She then asked if her teacher in Science might come and talk with me, and I assented, but said I would not promise to take treatment. She left her copy of Science and Health for me to read, and soon brought her teacher, who talked kindly with me, explaining some things, and then left me to think upon the subject. When my husband came home I told him of it all, but like myself he had no faith. However, I read what I could in Science and Health till the next day, when I became so far convinced that I could be healed that I sent for the practitioner. She soon came, and my first treatment was on May 9, 1900. That afternoon I sat up comfortably for five hours. My husband was greatly surprised when he came home, and said if I was well enough by May 20 to attend the dedication services, he would go with me. The next day, with the aid of my husband, I walked three blocks for my treatment, and afterwards returned with him. The following day I walked there and back with only a girl to assist me. The third trip and later ones I went alone with God. On the second day when I was coming home up the hill it seemed as if I could not do it, but quickly the thought came, "My strength is sufficient for thee;" so I took God at His word, and arrived home without any sense of fatigue. On the third day I removed the surgical support and have never needed it since, nor was there any occasion for a second surgical operation. I received nine consecutive treatments. and on May 20 I was ready to go with my husband to the Christian Science church dedication. After sitting in the crowded congregation for three hours, I walked home again and got the dinner, and still no sense of weariness. My husband was then fully convinced, and became at once an earnest student of Christian Science. He is now Second Reader, and I have served several years as chief musician. We are constantly enjoying many indisputable proofs of the truth and value of Christian Science as taught in our denominational text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by our Leader, Mrs. Eddy. It enables us to understand how an infinite God is all-power, all-knowledge, all-presence, Life, Truth, Love, and how the real, spiritual man is the image and likeness of Spirit, God: is God's idea, hence man is as free from the law of sin and death, as is God whom he reflects. With many of us the physical healing from mortal ills seems to be needed to awaken us to a realization of God's all-presence, but when awakened by such sweet experiences, it is only by constant study of the truth and faithful obedience thereto that we can grow into the Mind of Christ.

Mrs. Susan E. R. Merrill,
Samuel H. Merrill, Fairmont, Minn.

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