Having received so much benefit and encouragement...

William Lazenby with contributions from Ellen Lazenby, Stella E. Saxton

Having received so much benefit and encouragement from the testimonies published in the Sentinel, this is sent in the hope that it may serve the same purpose. Previous to coming into touch with Christian Science, while reading the parable of the prodigal son, I received an understanding of the character and nature of God which was certainly new to me. After this I read the record of healing work in the New Testament with an interest which I had never before experienced. My interest was centered upon the healing of the palsied man and the answer given by Jesus to the scribes. The inference which I drew from this account was that forgiveness of sin and physical healing were included in the gospel and are therefore inseparable. At this time the wonderful promise of the Master was too plain to be misunderstood: "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do." So I determined to know how it could be fulfilled. At this point in my experience I was brought into touch with Christian Science literature. I also attended the services, and felt assured that my need would be supplied in Christian Science.

Strange to relate, at this juncture I was deceived by a suggestion that I could accomplish the most good by continuing to work along the old lines, in connection with a mission in this town. I failed also to interpret the message given to me, and the consequence was that I attended no place of worship for many months. After this my wife's health broke down, and at the same time I was thrown out of employment. Being out of work, I could not employ any one to nurse the wife and care for the children, so I had to face the situation alone, and while laboring under adverse circumstances the opportunity was given me to retrace my steps and regain my position. The Bible says, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten."

My wife was in a low way and very weak; the medicine prescribed by the doctor (who had been called in at my wife's request) failed and was set aside; eventually the doctor ceased to call. To my wife there seemed to be no hope left; but "man's extremity is God's opportunity." All that I had read in Christian Science seemed to have left me; but one thought remained, which was that God is not the author of sickness or suffering. I reasoned from this that it was not God's will to take a mother from her children. It took time to turn my wife's thoughts from what she seemed to think was inevitable, yet the scale was slowly balanced to the side of Truth. At times it seemed as if error would swamp me, but my stronghold at such times was in the realization that the struggle was not without a purpose, and that I had to be turned away from the worshiping of idols (material means); also that God had not called me out of Egypt (material sense) to die in the wilderness. My confidence would thus be restored, and then I would encourage the faltering steps of my wife. After the little that I knew had been put into operation, Christian Science treatment was given her by a lady and afterward by a gentleman, which help was very much appreciated.

My wife's recovery seemed slow at times, yet her restoration was effected; and with it came an abiding sense of gratitude and also a strong proof of the efficacy of Christian Science. The prophet Johah said, "I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord." I take this opportunity to express my gratitude for that monument of labor and love, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures;" also for the noble and inspiring example found in the Discoverer, Founder, and Leader of the Christian Science movement.

William Lazenby, Darlington, Durham, England.

[Mrs. Lazenby's corroborative statement of her healing follows.—Editor.]

My husband's statement respecting my condition is quite correct. The doctor said he could do no more for me, and it seemed as though there was nothing but death before me. I used to lie in my bed day and night, and my constant thought was as to how I would be buried, as we had no provision for this; but I am thankful to say that after the doctor ceased to call, and when I saw that medicine was doing me no good, I began to listen to my husband as he talked about Christian Science. (He had spoken of it before, but I would not listen.) It was only when there seemed to be no hope elsewhere that I was ready to listen, and although I gave Christian Science credit for putting me on my feet, I would not go to the meeting, as I did not like the idea of changing my form of worship. The first thought that helped me was that there is no life in matter, and that in God "we live, and move, and have our being."

I am thankful to God for inspiring Mrs. Eddy with such a grand message, one which heals the sick as well as reclaims the sinner. My healing was slow, but with it has come to me a better understanding of what God really is. In the old thought we were taught to believe that God sent sickness for our good; yet if this is so, why should we take medicine to destroy it. It was like throwing kindness back into God's face. Since coming into Christian Science, however, I have begun to learn that God is the only power; that He is all good, and that evil has no power; and also that sickness is a false belief. I am very thankful for the little understanding I have gained, and hope as I live from day to day to gain more, so as to be able to help others as I would myself.

Ellen Lazenby, Darlington, Durham, England.

What though the day has proved
A sad Gethsemane,
And at its end a grim
And torturing Calvary,
If when the stillness comes
To lonely, dark-filled tomb,
Outside an angel waits,
Bearing a lily-bloom!

Stella E. Saxton.

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FROM OUR EXCHANGES

September 18, 1909

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