Testimony of Healing February 1, 1908 Issue

With a sense of devout thankfulness and profound gratitude,...

Mary L. Van Ostrom

With a sense of devout thankfulness and profound gratitude, I must tell others what Christian Science has done for me. I started out in early life with the desire to love God and to go to the so-called dark corners of the earth with the message of His love. While in China, several years ago, under a mission board, the Chinese often asked me to heal their sick; and I believed it could be done if I only knew how. They would say, in Chinese, "Your Holy Book tells us that Jesus healed sick people, and told his disciples to do the same." I first heard of Christian Science while in China, in letters from America, but did not accept it at that time. Four years ago a friend persuaded me to investigate this beautiful faith. Not for physical help did I come, for I had the best of health, but having been a nurse for several years, I felt the need of divine power to heal the sick. I had studied many faiths and religions, but found none of them effectual in time of need.

In the four years since I accepted Christian Science I have been in many a "desert place," and the "Red Sea" has sometimes seemed to be impassable. The financial problem, too, for myself and others, had to be met, and with all my efforts to get out of the sick-room, I always found myself going back to it. Last fall this verse was in the Lesson-Sermon, "Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared," and it was most helpful to me. The following February I came to Goldfield, Nevada, and the day after I arrived, which was Sunday, this verse was in the Lesson: "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left." The thought came to me, as I read the lesson over, to start a Woman's Exchange. I did so in a few days, in a tiny room, and though I was without means, I knew that "day by day" the manna would fall. I met with great success, and for this, and for the spiritual uplifting and peace of mind which have come to me, I am indeed grateful to Christian Science.

On coming here I found that the seed sown by one earnest worker had indeed sprung up as a blessing to many in "a dry and thirsty land," and now a band of devoted Christian Scientists and a dear little church welcome those who are seeking to know this truth that makes us free.

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