Testimony of Healing December 2, 1911 Issue

When asked the other day, "What is Christian Science...

Gertrude Kirkland

When asked the other day, "What is Christian Science treatment?" my thought turned immediately to the time when a practitioner gave me my first treatment. I was then, as I thought, resentfully, bitterly, and selfishly ending my last few days on earth, absolutely "without God in the world," yet with the strong determination that I would live as long as I could, die bravely, and leave the solution of all mystery until after death. Reared in a Christian home by loving, God-fearing parents, with every religious privilege, I still had no knowledge of God as a living, palpitating presence, a practical help; all was intangible and wrapped in mystery. When it became known that the end was near, the minister of the church to which I belonged called repeatedly, and with loving sympathy tried to help me; but he could give me no practical help (I did not want to know how to die, but how to live), so after many fruitless visits he turned sadly away. My loved ones tried in various ways to turn my thoughts to higher things, and often would I find the Bible open beside me, but all to no avail; it held no message for me then, though now it is my constant help and guide.

It was at this time (in the autumn of 1907) that my husband heard of Christian Science and asked me to see a practitioner. Thinking it to be another effort to prepare me for future life, I refused; but ultimately, to please those around me, though my thoughts were filled with bitterness and I was determined never to yield my own opinions one iota, I had a little curiosity and consented to see the practitioner. Little did I think what peace and joy were to be mine; how I was to comprehend for the first time, however dimly, what is meant by "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding." The practitioner, instead of talking of death, talked of Life,—Life which does not depend on the organs of the body, but the eternal, infinite Life which is God and which never can suffer and die. She patiently and simply explained that God is Love, and knows no discord; therefore that His children, made in His image and likeness, could not experience anything apart from God. After melting all my hardness by revealing to me divine Love, and telling me of His watchful care over His own, she left me filled with hope and peace, with thoughts turning away from self, where they had dwelt so long. away and up to our Father-Mother God, the giver of all good.

Need I say that from then all was changed? This was truly the new birth, which commenced during the first treatment in Christian Science,—and this to one prejudiced against everything of a spiritual nature. Now, I know,—have proved beyond a doubt,—that as we grow in the knowledge of God as the source of our health, strength, and our support; and as we understand, even in a small degree, that God is infinite, omnipotent Love, in that proportion do we manifest the true health,—health, not limited or subject to material laws, but the unlimited, eternal sense of being, ever flowing from the infinite source, God, for surely health is the birthright of all God's children.

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