Testimony of Healing September 14, 1907 Issue

When the first glimpse of Christian Science came to...

Harriet B. Allen

When the first glimpse of Christian Science came to me I accepted it joyfully, being glad to escape the bondage of sickness, suffering, and medicine. I was not healed quickly, as many are who come to Christian Science, but as I began to take up the study of the text-book I found that my imprisoned thought was being liberated even before I began to feel the physical benefits. I had been an invalid for about ten years; one of my great troubles being a stomach difficulty. I tried doctors and all the remedies I heard of; went to different springs, etc. I would sometimes feel better, but there was nothing permanent, and as time went on other complications set in. I became very weak, and then it was decided that I should put myself into the hands of a specialist in St. Louis. I came home a little improved, but I was not healed. I went to her a second and a third time, hoping for more permanent results. Finding that she had moved to Minneapolis, I decided to follow her. On my arrival, she said to me, "Oh, what did you come up here for? I cannot do anything for you,—your vitality is all gone." I have often thought of the fourteen weeks I spent there, thinking constantly of my bodily condition. I read the Bible from force of habit, but God seemed so far-off, and to receive anything from Him I must patiently wait till death came. All those beautiful promises in the Scripture which mean so much to us in Christian Science I did not understand at all.

When I went home I received a letter from a cousin, saying I must try Christian Science, as she had been greatly helped by it. A practitioner had lately come to our place, so I went to see her. She talked on the mission of Christ Jesus, told of his love, compassion, and pity for mankind, and that he came as a brother, a friend, teaching and demonstrating the healing power of divine Love. I was greatly impressed with her words, as I had never before seen the mission of Jesus in such a beautiful light. I took eleven treatments, which covered about four weeks. During this time I had a great many helpful experiences, as well as some doubts and discouragements, but, I thank God, the good prevailed. One morning when I went for my treatment the practitioner began to talk to me about God being the only healer. She cited her own case, as well as many others, and brought many passages of Scripture to bear upon it. I shall never forget that day! The very heavens seemed to open, and I wondered how any one could believe that there was any other physician than God. I went home and opened up every place where I had medicine (and I had plenty of it), and prepared to throw it away. My father said, "You had better wait," for he thought I would have to get some more. I said, "No, I can't wait a minute. I must 'agree' with my 'adversary' quickly, while I am in the way with him. I know God is the only physician."

This was over eighteen years ago, and since that time I have been truly blessed, for I have never taken one drop of medicine nor been in bed a day. I have had little discords to meet, but I have been able to help myself, or some one has helped me out very quickly in Christian Science. Jesus said, "In my Father's house are many mansions." I reached one of those mansions when I learned that God is the only physician, and there are many mansions more for me to reach. I can truly say with the psalmist, "Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honor dwelleth."

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