Testimony of Healing February 10, 1912 Issue

In the year 1893 I visited the World's fair in Chicago...

W. C. Whitcher

In the year 1893 I visited the World's fair in Chicago, and while there was taken with a fever. Leaving immediately for my home in Detroit, Mich., I arrived there with a well-developed case and was confined in bed for weeks under the care of a physician. The fever left me weak and emaciated, and in this condition a severe attack of inflammation of the bowels manifested itself, with great suffering. Owing to the severe pain, and also because I was so weakened from fever, the physician gave no hope. Christian Science was then offered me by my clear mother, who had been a Scientist for a number of years. A practitioner was called, treatment was begun, and there was immediate relief, the pain leaving entirely inside of an hour, never to return. This was an instantaneous demonstration of God's healing presence, and recovery from the fever and the inflamed bowels was so rapid that in two weeks I rode on horseback thirty-six miles in very inclement weather.

But even this experience did not seem to draw me to Truth, and for years afterward I continued to tread the paths of sinful pleasure and careless living until again I felt the need of God's sustaining power. About four years ago I turned in earnest to Christian Science, in search of the spiritual comfort and mental peace which this truth brings to its faithful followers. The bondage of bad habits has been broken and, though progress in other ways has at times seemed slow, owing solely of course to the persistent assertion of self, it has been made plain to me that if we approach divine Mind intelligently, understandingly, and with no excuses or self-justification, the way becomes clear, giving at least a partial realization of the allness and power of God, divine Love. Excuses are only obstacles to progress and are prompted by "self-will, self-justification, and self-love" (Science and Health, p. 242), those foes to one's progress in business, in his home, and in the understanding of Christian Science. Whenever we seem to fall short of a successful and perfect demonstration in any line, it is not so likely to be because of outward conditions as it is of some fault within ourselves. We just need to acquaint ourselves more fully with God and His way, and to correct our own erroneous judgment in meekness and humility.

The protecting power and ever-presence of God, divine Principle, has been made manifest to me on many occasions, and I know that He governs and controls His universe and man in His image and likeness. I can truthfully say that I have been healed physically and morally through Christian Science. I am gaining a little more faith and understanding each day, and I know that as my thought dwells less on self and more with God and my fellow man, blessings will accrue in the same proportion. When I stop to contemplate the magnitude of God's power, ever available for the protection of the righteous man, it makes me feel very humble and very grateful for all I have received.

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