Testimony of Healing August 3, 1907 Issue

The question that Pilate asked comes to each one of us...

Abby Beecher Abbott

The question that Pilate asked comes to each one of us—"What is truth?" All my life I have been a seeker for Truth, and for health. I looked for these in the churches, but was not satisfied. Human philosophy could not answer me and the laws of materia medica proved unavailing. Not until I prayerfully and humbly investigated Mrs. Eddy's spiritual interpretation of the Bible, as contained in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," were my questions answered, health restored, and soul satisfied. Mrs. Eddy says, "The best sermon ever preached is Truth practised" (Science and Health, p. 201). The perfecting of our thought and life is proving to the world that we are standing for divine Principle,—perfect God and perfect man. The truth that God is all—the only power—has been verified by physical healings and spiritual upliftings. I had been a delicate child, with a supposedly inherited disease which was manifested in trouble with the eyes and ears. I always had a longing to be of use in the world, so I passed the time in brave endeavor, only to break down, to rest for a while, then try again.

After I married my home was in Savannah, Ga. The change of climate proved disastrous, and for ten long weary years I was under the care of a specialist for women's diseases. I feel grateful to this good man, who encouraged me with hopeful words and tried to turn my thoughts away from myself. I have since learned that to overcome the ills of the flesh one must turn away from the body instead of keeping it always in thought, but I was then a deep student of hygiene and medical laws and thought I could not keep well without my daily physical exercise. All this time I was dieting according to the best known health laws. I learned to control the outward expression of pain, and no one but my husband knew of my sleepless nights and the aching body. We moved to Chattanooga in 1888 and I hoped that in the bracing air of the uplands I would be fully restored to health. For a time the change was very marked, but that did not last long. Again came the pain, and the sleepless nights. Abdominal trouble developed, and for six months or more I was under the care of a specialist. Discouraged and disheartened I carried the burden of ill health. I had lost faith in drugs and exercise and could not see that dieting made any difference in the state of my health.

In June of 1895 I went to northern Michigan, expecting to be benefited by such a decided change of climate, but even that failed. One would think I should then have been ready for the gentle word of Truth, whispered in my ear by a sister I was visiting, who knew and loved this Science. But not so; I resented everything said, for I knew I was sick, I knew I suffered! When I left for home she gave me my first copy of Science and Health, and that winter I began to study it in earnest. I told no one what I was doing and kept my books hidden from the family. Slowly and naturally I regained my health, but I was not willing to give Truth all the credit. I was ashamed to let any one know that I was studying Christian Science, for I had always had a "lively disregard" for such a "narrow religion." But at last the scales have fallen from my eyes, and I am indeed a "new creature." This truth is freeing me from the bondage of asserted material law, and it brings a joy and peace into my life never known before. I know I am a better wife, neighbor, and friend since I have learned to think of all men as the children of God. I am overcoming the irritability, captiousness, and selfishness that so often accompanies invalidism. I do not need card parties and clubs to amuse and divert me. A long, quiet day at home with the Bible and Science and Health brings a joy never felt before. This truth has increased my power to enjoy every true pleasure, and instead of reading for amusement I now read for instruction. For seven years this truth has been my only medicine. I am perfectly well. The lines of pain have passed from my face and I am growing younger every year.

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