Testimony of Healing November 13, 1909 Issue

For nine years I was a trained nurse

Kathryn Van Horne

For nine years I was a trained nurse. After my marriage it was deemed advisable for me to submit to a minor operation; which I did; but it brought no permanent results. A year later I had a severe attack of illness, which resulted in chronic stomach trouble. Although I followed the medical counsel faithfully, I was gradually becoming a wreck and the victim of that dreaded foe—the worry habit. Because of a contemplated change of residence, the physician was urged to be absolutely frank in the matter of diagnosis, and I was informed that the presumable cause of the trouble was an abnormal growth. He advised no operation at the time, but offered no other alternative nor did I expect any.

Some six months later (in 1906) I became interested in Christian Science. Through the reading of Science and Health the stomach disorder and worry habit were entirely overcome, also a continual sense of fatigue and almost constant backache, and gradually the diagnosis of a growth faded from my memory. After I had been interested in Science nearly two years, there came into my experience something to which I was unwilling to submit, but after some week's struggle I became absolutely willing to take up the cross, and also to rejoice "all the rugged way" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 398). Later a physical trial came, and I called for help. The following day my practitioner was led to work for me along this line of thought: "A spiritual idea has not a single element of error, and this truth removes properly whatever is offensive" (Science and Health, p. 463), with the result that not only was that condition beautifully met, but also the growth, which weighed about two pounds, was detached and came away. To say that I am thankful for these physical benefits is but a feeble expression, but far above the physical benefits I am thankful for the spiritual understanding which has come to me and which has enabled me to clear up the tangled doubts of creed and dogma. I realize that the only real gratitude I can express is to follow the Master's command, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."—Kathryn Van Horne, Columbus, O.

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