Testimony of Healing September 21, 1907 Issue

I am a student of Christian Science as taught by our...

A. S. D. van Barneveld

I am a student of Christian Science as taught by our revered Leader, Mrs. Eddy, for whom my heart is full of gratitude and love. Through studying her book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," I have come to know the one Mind,—Spirit, God. On the 30th day of last October my wife and myself were taking our daily sea bath here at Ocean Park. That day the sea was very rough. I am a poor swimmer, am in my sixty-first year, and my wife does not swim at all. The high tide had just turned, and this made a very strong undercurrent. When my wife was leaving the water I swam out, not giving the current a thought, and was soon beyond the last high wave. Looking round, I found it was time to make for the shore, but could not—the current took me still further out. I swallowed some water and seemingly lost all strength. Seeing two men walking on the shore I attempted to attract their attention, and that of my wife, but they could not swim and did not attempt to go into that rough water. Then to my dismay I saw my wife coming towards me, for I knew that if she came beyond her depth she, too, would be drowned. I was horror-struck, but seeing that no mortal help could reach me, I thought of the omnipotence of God and asked divine Love to help us, and at once I struck out and swam like a fish. On reaching my wife she took my arm and helped me to come to the shore, where I sat down. I could hardly breathe and could not speak. My wife went for one of our practitioners, but this I did not know. I again sought the help of divine Love, and at once the water in my lungs came up and I was restored. I walked home and dressed, and on coming back I found our dear Christian Science friends, who saw that God had helped me. I took a good breakfast, and my heart was full of gratitude to our heavenly Father, who had proved to me His omnipotence in my hour of need. This experience showed me what our Leader's work does for mankind in overcoming fear. Through her teachings I have also overcome my sense of the carnal will, and for this I cannot find words to thank this dearly beloved woman. Her teaching points us to Genesis, 1:26,—man having dominion over all the earth.

A. S. D. van Barneveld, Ocean Park, S. Cal.

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