Testimony of Healing September 2, 1911 Issue

In the course of most people's lives there comes a time...

John Gray Sponsel

In the course of most people's lives there comes a time when the perplexing problems of material existence reach a climax. It was at just such a time, when a college student. that I was led to ask myself, What does it all mean? That little word "it" was the most bewildering proposition I ever expect to deal with, but at this opportune moment some unseen power directed me to the reading of Mrs. Eddy's wonderful gift to wandering mortals, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures."

I had always been an enthusiast in regard to college games and plays, and during my freshman year was fortunate enough to make the class track team as a half-mile runner, sometimes running the mile race. In the course of the training, however, a severe pain in the region of the heart became quite evident. I however continued to run for another year, until I became so frightened that I consulted different physicians, who informed me that they could do nothing for me and that I would have to cease all exercise. It can easily be imagined how a student inclined to athletics would receive such directions; he might as well have been told all of his days of life and pleasure were over.

At this time I was in a suite of rooms with two students who were Christian Scientists, and I was aware of the fact that there was a copy of Science and Health at my disposal if I cared to glean anything from its teachings, but I did not know anything about Christian Science beyond the fact that four or five friends were Christian Scientists, and I did not know them intimately; yet there was something about them which I could not explain, but which seemed to tell of beautiful things and the wish that all humanity could appreciate what they knew. So I decided to be fairminded, and at least see what the book could do for me. I decided to read the book, but to do it secretly; and having read the Preface and the chapter on Prayer, I slowly finished the book, weighing each thought most carefully. Even with the completion of the chapter on Prayer, life took on for me a fulness which the mere grouping of words could not express; and I state the truth when I say I felt, on retiring that night, as if separate from the body; and some unseen influence outside of me seemed to" direct all my actions. It was then that I realized the truth, which has never since been quite so evident; namely, that the body is simply a mortal concept. The finale was that the heart trouble disappeared, never to return. Since that time I have studied Christian Science continuously, including the Lesson-Sermon each night; have attended Sunday service; and now I go regularly to the Wednesday evening meeting also.

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