Testimony of Healing September 26, 1908 Issue

In grateful acknowledgment of the blessings that have...

Lizzie Miller

In grateful acknowledgment of the blessings that have come into my life during the past two years, I write this testimony, for I have had many proofs of the ever-presence of divine Love and have unbounded faith in this blessed truth. I shall never forget the first testimonial meeting I ever attended—it opened up a new world to me. I felt very happy, for it seemed as if I had left all sorrow behind and that the future held only peace and happiness for me.

As one of the proofs that God is an ever-present help, and that Christian Science sustains us in times of great danger, I desire to tell of an experience I had during the summer of 1907. I started to light an oil stove, but in filling the tank I had unknowingly spilled some gasoline, and in an instant my hand was a blaze of fire. I tried to smother it with my apron, but the blaze flashed up and my shirtwaist caught. I struggled to put out the fire without letting any one know, but for a moment fear took possession of me, and I rushed out on the porch to call my neighbor. When she saw me in flames she became so excited that she could not come to my assistance, so I saw that my help was not there. The thought came to me that it would soon be all over, and what would become of my two little children! With the next breath I remembered that God is "a very present help in trouble;" and no sooner had I turned to God than I had all the help necessary. I ran into the yard, threw myself on the ground, and by rolling around extinguished the flames. The crowd which had gathered by that time found me perfectly calm, though according to material sense the injuries were very serious. When I asked that a Christian Science practitioner be called, strong men with tears rolling down their faces begged me to have a physician; but I said, "No, Christian Science is what I want." In a little while the practitioner came, and remained with me all night. It seemed advisable to have a physician administer a hypodermic when the burns were dressed for the first time, and his verdict was that I could live but a short time. Ten days later he called to inquire about the case, and remarked that all danger had passed and that the case was an exceptional one.

In thirteen weeks all the wounds were healed, and I was attending to my household duties as usual. My hands are without a scar, and there is no contraction or stiffness, although this was predicted for me, as being the usual result with burns. During the time I was unable to help myself, not only were my material wants supplied by my neighbors and friends, but the command to love one another was certainly obeyed by the Scientists. Every afternoon one of them would come and read to me from some of our Leader's works. The joy and peace this gave me is beyond expression. It seemed to me that every one was eager to help me out of my trouble. Science was always uppermost in my thought, and during the time the injuries were being dressed—which at first required three hours' time—my husband and I would "scientific statement of being" (Science and Health, p. 468), which was a great help to us. Although this experience seemed a terrible one, yet I rejoice that peace came to my troubled consciousness. Many lessons were learned during this experience, and the proofs of the brotherhood which Christian Science teaches were observed by my neighbors. They witnessed the true sympathy we feel for one another, and which helps us to see the unreality of evil.

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