Testimony of Healing January 11, 1908 Issue

During the Civil War I was an army officer, and while...

William Pinney

During the Civil War I was an army officer, and while in the service I became very sick, contracting many diseases which remained with me over forty years. In that time I have repeatedly cursed God for my suffering, and at other times prayed to die. Materia medica failed to relieve me of the intense suffering, while the violent attacks were gradually increasing, and many nights it was thought I would pass away before morning. In September, 1906, a Christian Science practitioner came for a short visit with a member of my family. When my wife asked me to seek help in Christian Science, I replied that it would be useless, that I was too far gone, my troubles were too many, and I was too old. She urged that it could do me no harm to try it, and it might do much good. About that time a severe attack of suffering came on, which was so intense that from desperation I called upon this practitioner for help, not because I had any faith that Christian Science could do anything for me, but because my family wished it. To my surprise the intense fever was soon ended; the agony of passing the gravel and the pain in the kidneys and heart were relieved, and I slept well that night, awaking refreshed the next morning. I continued the treatment, and later on catarrhal and chronic bowel trouble, hernia, etc., were all wiped out of existence. I was distinctly conscious of the replacing of an internal organ which had given me the trouble. All desire for stimulants left me; I no longer wished to smoke or to swear. Although for sixty years I had chewed tobacco, Truth has destroyed all these depraved appetites, and purity of thought had taken their place. I am reborn, regenerated!

For eighteen years I had worn glasses. Now, at the age of sixty-seven, my sight has returned and I need no glasses, but read as in my youth, fulfilling the Scripture saying. "Thy youth is renewed like the eagle's." I now delight in studying the Bible with our text-book. Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy,—the book which has revealed to this age the truth that has removed from me the agony caused by fourteen diseases, and that has taught me to understand, in a degree, and to love the God who is Love, who sends no evil upon man, as I was taught in childhood to believe that He did. Now, like the psalmist, I praise God for His goodness, and His wonderful works to the children of men. I am beginning to demonstrate the presence and power of infinite Mind, in whom we live, move, and have our being. My whole human life is transformed as I contemplate the eternal truth that God is my Life.

Words cannot express my gratitude for this glorious change, but I am trying to prove it by my deeds, as actuated by right thinking. For many years I never attended church, but in July, 1907, I was one of forty who united with First Church of Christ, Scientist, Columbus, O. Now I can say, "I love thy church, O Lord, the house of thine abode." Daily I thank God that He has revealed to His servant, Mrs. Eddy, the Science of being, by which my family and others are being evangelized. We are a happy family, having all tasted of the fruits of the Christ-healing, and together we are growing into a better understanding of Christ, Truth.

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