I wish to testify to all the good which I have experienced...

Barbara C. Bechtel

I wish to testify to all the good which I have experienced during the last four years through the study of Christian Science, not only in the healing of disease, but in a spiritual uplift and the blessed sense of security in the bosom of our Father-Mother God. In August, 1906, I was suffering with a complication of diseases,—with heart and lung trouble, hay-fever, and incessant coughing which was so bad that my dear husband could stand it no longer, as he said. We had had the advice of four physicians, who did all they could in order to bring me relief; but it all was of no avail, and I had apparently been hovering between life and death for three weeks.

On or about the tenth of August a dear friend reminded me of the fact that my life was in God's hands, and that Christian Science could help me. This friend had called my attention to Christian Science a few years prior to this, and had given me a few copies of the Sentinel to read; but after having looked through one, I laid them aside with the remark that it had too much religion for me and was too good to be true, although I put all my trust in God (medicine included). We, however, now asked for the address of a Christian Science practitioner, and he was so kind as to call on the same day. He talked with me, and I accepted his statements readily. Within an hour I sat up in bed and had a talk with my husband. I told him that I knew I was healed. He said, "Be careful, don't be rash;" to which I answered that he need not worry, that I should be all right. On the following day I had another treatment, and immediately after it I got up, had a hearty supper, and went to bed at eight. On the following day I got up at half-past five and did not retire until ten o'clock in the evening. The practitioner came to see me only four times. Since that time I have been well.

I would also like to relate a few incidents connected with my healing. When I came into the kitchen I made the remark, "I am down here now, but how shall I manage to get upstairs again?" But I at once gave the answer myself: "I shall get upstairs just as I got downstairs,—with God's help." And so it was. The second incident was as follows: The practitioner came to see me on Thursday, and on the following day, just after he had gone, one of the physicians came to see whether I was still alive. I was in the kitchen just then, and my daughter went to open the door while I walked upstairs. I entered the hall at the moment when the physician stepped in through the center door, and he was so struck that he became speechless, then he said: "Oh, my patient!" He then asked me who the man was who had just left the house, to which I replied that he was the one who had saved me from death; whereupon the physician went away and never called again, nor even sent his bill. When my dear husband came home in the evening the neighbors called to him that I had been taken to the hospital on that same afternoon. He was very much distressed at this report, and entered the house in very low spirits, but as soon as he opened the door my daughter called to him that some one wished to see him. He stepped in, but stood with eyes wide open, unable to utter a word. When he recovered from his surprise, he took me into his arms and wept tears of joy, and we all thanked God, whose great love and goodness we had experienced. The following week I went to church with a heart overflowing with gratitude to God, and to Mrs. Eddy, who has given us understanding through her book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures."

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