Testimony of Healing February 1, 1908 Issue

Although twenty-six years of my life have been spent in...

W. J. Van Hoesen

Although twenty-six years of my life have been spent in or in connection with the drug business, I have proven beyond all doubt that Christian Science can do what material remedies cannot. From infancy I was troubled with kidney and bladder disease, and as far back as I can remember I was taking material remedies of some kind. At the age of fifteen I began what was supposed to be my life's work in a drug-store, and I have been either actively engaged in or connected with the drug business ever since. During that time I continued to suffer and use material remedies for relief. I tried all the new remedies, and had my medical friends prescribe for me (and they did all they could), but it seemed that I could not get well. While clerking in a drug-store in Salt Lake City, Utah, I was operated on by two physicians, friends who were really interested in my relief, but without any result, and as I continued to grow worse I was operated on by a prominent surgeon (also a friend). After spending three weeks in the hospital I left it, still using material remedies, and I finally made up my mind that God intended I should suffer and that nothing could help me. I was so badly off that the jolt of a street car would nearly set me crazy.

When my wife, who had become interested in Christian Science shortly after my last operation, suggested it to me, I was more disgusted than words can express. I thought she would surely ruin me, as I had spent my life in learning the drug business, and now that she wanted me to acknowledge that drugs are unnecessary, I would not think of it; so I continued to suffer and to use material remedies. Three years ago last April I was in a small town in Illinois, suffering with a bilious attack, and had decided to go to bed and call a physician. Just after so deciding, however, the hotel clerk handed me a letter from my firm, requesting my presence in Chicago at once. On the way to the depot I bought some medicines, thinking I would surely get partial relief by the time I reached my home in Chicago. It was about four hours' ride, but instead of getting better I seemed to be worse, and when I reached home I asked for Christian Science treatment. My surprise can be imagined, when in about fifteen minutes my pain (Goliath) had disappeared by the speaking of the Word of Truth (David). The healing came so quickly that I doubted it, but I took a copy of Science and Health with me on my next trip and it has been my constant companion ever since.

Since this experience I have used Christian Science only, and have sought to reflect that Mind "which was also in Christ Jesus."—W. J. Van Hoesen, Chicago, Ill.

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