Testimony of Healing October 10, 1908 Issue

A little more than one year ago a copy of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures"...

James Gattis

A little more than one year ago a copy of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy was placed in my hands, and being attracted by the title of the book I opened it and read the chapter on Prayer. On my expressing a desire to read the book, it was kindly loaned to me. I fairly devoured the volume, reading every spare moment during the day, and late into the night, something I had not done for years; in fact, I had not read any book through for more than five years, on account of a serious eye trouble with which I was afflicted. When I began reading this book I was wearing glasses that had been fitted to my eyes by an eminent specialist, and my eyes had been examined by three other specialists, all of them declaring that I would always be compelled to use glasses while reading or doing any work which required close application. I was also using, two and three times daily, a medical remedy which had been prepared especially for my eyes. Before I finished reading Science and Health the first time, I realized that my glasses had been left in their case and that the medicines were left untouched. I have used no material remedies since that time, and have not worn glasses for months, although I am using my eyes for bookkeeping work day and night, work which I had been obliged to give up entirely on account of my eyes, even while wearing glasses. Since childhood I had been almost a slave to medicines, but while reading this wonderful little book I realized that I was cured of a bowel trouble which was supposed to be a hereditary disease, and I have stayed cured. With the little understanding I have gained in Science I have been able to overcome many minor ailments during the past year. I have also had some financial demonstrations that have been very helpful to me, and they have enabled me to realize more fully than ever before that in God is our only supply, and that with Him there is no lack.

Since beginning the study of this Science a great sorrow has come to me and to my home, but the understanding which I have gained in Christian Science,—that God is our Life and our All, and that our loved ones do not die when they pass from our sight,—this has lifted me out of the depths of sorrow and despair and placed my feet upon a firm foundation, even the rock, Christ Jesus; and I can truly look up to our great and loving Father-Mother God and say, "O death, where is thy sting! O grave, where is thy victory!" Our Leader says, "Glory be to God, and peace to the struggling hearts! Christ hath rolled away the stone from the door of human hope and faith" (Science and Health, p. 45), and our crucified and risen Christ has not only ascended to the Father, but has come the second time to all those who are ready and willing to accept and receive Christ, Truth, in their hearts.

The gratitude for the spiritual uplifting which I have received I am unable to express in words. At times that "peace of God, which passeth all understanding," comes to me, and I have sweet communion with God. I had never appreciated or understood a great deal of my Bible reading, but with our text-book to guide me and give me the spiritual interpretation, the Bible has become a new book, the Scriptures seem to be illumined, and a new meaning is gotten from every page. The promises are full of sweet assurance and hope, as never before, and now I love to read the Bible more and more each day. I had been a church member for about thirty years, and tried to live a consistent Christian life, but it was left for Christian Science to point out to me many errors into which I had fallen, and to-day I am happy to say that they have been overcome through the knowledge of this Science. I wanted to stay in my old church and conform my life to the higher ideal of Christianity as set forth in our text-book, but as our Leader says, "We cannot hold to beliefs outgrown" (Science and Health, p. 28), so I withdrew from my church and have become a member of The Mother Church. To say that I am thankful for the physical help that has come to me is but a faint expression of my gratefulness, but for the spiritual healing and uplifting that have come into my life mere words fail to express even faintly the gratitude which I feel. Only those who have experienced help from the same source can realize my feeling.

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