Testimony of Healing August 24, 1907 Issue

I first heard of Christian Science in 1887

Nettie Y. Coyle

I first heard of Christian Science in 1887. My mother had been healed of organic diseases which drugs did not benefit, and her changed condition awakened in me a great desire for something better than medicine, which I had taken almost daily for years. I was held under the asserted law of heredity, manifested as lung trouble. At the age of nine I had a fall which resulted in a supposed injury to the spine, from which I suffered for nineteen years. In 1883 I had an illness which left my nerves so shattered that I could scarcely bear the weight of my clothing. My lungs were seldom free from pain, and for five years previous to hearing of Christian Science I had to use remedies which caused much suffering. In 1883 the attending physician told me that I might be prepared for and expect death at any hour, from lung and heart disease. I also had a severe internal trouble, which made it painful to be on my feet. In 1891 the attending physician advised that I be sent to my mother at Eureka Springs, Ark., to be made as comfortable as possible for the few weeks at most which he thought I could live. The diagnosis was a most serious condition of the lungs, a malignant growth in the abdomen, and a kidney disease, supposedly incurable. The remedy for one of these diseases aggravated the others. At that time I was also suffering from an injury received at the birth of my oldest child, the physician telling me I would never be able to go up or down stairs, do any work, or even lift my baby. Two other specialists gave the same diagnosis, and would not take my case. At that time I was terribly ill, in every way I was hopeless, and waiting for death as a release. My mental condition was, if possible, worse than the physical. I had been all my life unhappy, longing for human love and sympathy, and life seemed not worth the living. I had spent a great deal of money, and was under five different physicians during a period of fifteen years. I had as physicians good, honest, Christian men, who did for me all they could. My mother again urged me to try Science in real earnest, which I did and was healed.

When I turned unreservedly to God, through Christian Science, I found life and peace. My healing was slow, but sure. When I realized that life was not in or of matter, but that God is Life,—that "the flesh profiteth nothing," but that Spirit is all,—I for the first time felt I would be healed. In six weeks the growth was gone—removed without my knowledge of how or when; my lungs filled in, my chest measure increasing four inches; my muscles became firm and strong and my nerves steady. I was able not only to lift my baby, but to do heavy work and be on my feet constantly for sixteen hours a day, even running up and down stairs with ease. But that for which I am most thankful is the spiritual awakening, the understanding of God and man's relation to Him. To know God as a God of love, a present help in every time of need and in all ways or conditions; to know that man is free to enter into the "holy of holies" and commune with God; to know God as Father-Mother,—all this has brought to me a peace, a joy, a serenity I had never hoped to attain. It has made me a happy, peaceful, useful woman. I have also had the great blessing of being instrumental in helping others. Through the study and demonstration of Science, as taught in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, the Bible has become an illumined book—it is indeed a "lamp unto my feet."

For all this and much more my heart goes out in deep gratitude and love to the one appointed of God to bring this light to a suffering and sin-bound world, and my constant desire and effort is to prove my gratitude and love by my life.—Mrs. Nettie Y. Coyle, Stillwater, Okla.

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