Testimony of Healing February 8, 1908 Issue

After an education in materia medica, having graduated...

James Richards

After an education in materia medica, having graduated from the Missouri Medical College, the medical department of the University of Missouri, and after practising medicine for over thirty-five years, I am glad now to give my testimony as a student of Christian Science. In November, 1881, I was called to see a brother physician who lived ten miles north of where I was practising, and the roads were very bad. At that time I was treating the roadmaster's little daughter, and on telling him about my call to see the doctor, he said, "Take my railroad tricycle. I shall not use it to-day, as no trains run on my road on Sunday." I accepted his offer, but the exertion of running the tricycle brought on in a few days a dangerous illness from which I scarcely recovered. Following the acute attack a chronic condition developed, and for over twenty years there was not a day in which I did not suffer, and sometimes was unable to do my work, although I was constantly taking medicine and using electricity. I counseled with a number of physicians, and they said it was undoubtedly a case of chronic abdominal trouble.

Five years ago I was able to do scarcely anything, and was gradually growing worse. I was expecting an acute attack to develop at any time and end my life and work on this plane of existence. After all material means had failed, I applied to Christian Science and employed a practitioner, and in one week's time I was entirely cured. I am happy to say that I have never had any pain or a symptom of the trouble since that time, now five years ago. I immediately bought a copy of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, and commenced reading it. During three and a half years I read it through many times, besides studying the Lessons in the Quarterly. The dear old Bible became a new book to me. I had been a church member for many years, but was a doubter respecting the divinity of Christ. However, I had always believed that if one were good enough and knew how, he could heal sickness and cast out evil as the apostles did in their time.

A year ago last July I was a very unhappy man. I felt that I knew the truth, but was not following it; then my doubts and fears were all taken away. It was manifested to me that the Christ is divine, and I could say with doubting Thomas, "My Lord and my God;" so I was minded to put all material things behind me, to take up the study of Christian Science and make it my life-work, and I have done so. I am now a member of the Christian Science Church, and have taken class instruction preparatory to engaging in Christian Science practice. I am truly grateful for my physical healing, but I am much more so for the spiritual uplift from doubt and fear to absolute faith and an understanding of the truth. Christian Science has made me a better husband, a better father, a better brother, and has taught me how to love my neighbor. Selfishness, envy, malice, and hatred are disappearing from my consciousness. The understanding that God is Love is worth all the world to me. Not only do I rejoice in my own healing, but my dear wife and daughter have been brought back from the dark valley of the shadow of death to health and strength, and to a knowledge and understanding of everlasting life, by Christian Science.

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