Testimony of Healing May 2, 1908 Issue

For a number of years prior to 1893 I had suffered more...

G. L. Van Buren

For a number of years prior to 1893 I had suffered more or less from lung trouble. My lungs seemed to be weak, and I had some of the symptoms which indicated a serious condition. During that year I was employed as a mechanic, and desired to join the A. O. U. W., which would enable me to carry a life insurance of two thousand dollars. I made application for membership, and was told that I must be examined by their physician as to my physical condition. I went to the office of the physician, who gave me a thorough examination, and finally told me that he did not think my application would be accepted on account of my lungs, as they were in a very bad condition. I asked him to send my application to headquarters and find out what would be done with it. This he agreed to do, and in a few days my application was returned—rejected. This experience created great fear in me, I soon discovered more symptoms, and I gradually grew worse. During those years when I had only a few symptoms of lung disease, I was taking medicines recommended to cure weak lungs, but I had always, said that if ever the time came when I knew beyond a doubt that my condition was serious, I would take no more medicine, for I had witnessed the experience of several dear friends who were similarly afflicted. Everything was done for them in a material way, but their sufferings were only multiplied by the remedies used, and—they all died.

It was in 1894 that we first heard of Christian Science,—my wife being in a worse condition, physically, than I was. Through the kind and untiring efforts of a dear Scientist who saw our needs, we consented to read some literature (which she lost no time in supplying), but it seemed that we had not yet suffered enough. In 1895 I was taken down with an acute attack of illness, and I was making rapid strides toward the grave when we called a Christian Science practitioner, who told me that I did not have to die—that I could be healed. Those were words that I had never, before heard under such circumstances, and in a way they startled me, for I could not help believing that the Scientist knew what she was talking about. Feeling that I had been suffering long enough, I began treatment that day. I had then been in bed for several days and it was with difficulty that I could turn myself from one side to the other, but I began to improve from the first treatment, and a few days later I was able to go to the practitioner's home for my treatment. One by one the old symptoms that had been with me for years faded away into their native nothingness; all fear left me, and I was a free man.

This healing occurred some twelve years ago; and I have been told by several (after relating my experience) that I could not have had serious lung trouble. I can only say that I was healed of all the symptoms and of all fear of the disease. That is enough for me. As time goes on, my gratitude for my healing increases. I know it was brought about through the practitioner's study of the writings of our beloved Leader, by which she had acquired sufficient knowledge of the omnipotence of God to prove what she told me on her first visit, "You do not have to die."—G. L. Van Buren, Kansas City, Mo.

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