Testimony of Healing June 7, 1913 Issue

It is surely a pleasure to testify in Christian Science

J. Harry Benson

It is surely a pleasure to testify in Christian Science. To many the seeming difficulty in giving testimony inheres in the fact that words are entirely inadequate to express gratitude, but the pleasure derived from the knowledge that one's testimony may serve to illumine the way for others, places the deficiency of words in the background. I was not led into Science through physical healing, although such demonstrations have since been numerous. My interest and understanding were brought about through the influence of friends and prolonged study of the Bible and our text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy.

It was not long ago that I was a frail lad in the grades, with an insatiable thirst for learning which the schoolroom text-books failed to satisfy. There seemed to be something infinitely greater which they did not contain. I attended three Christian Sunday schools at various times, but these, too, seemed to miss the point, for the majority of the lessons dealt more with history and geography than with the word of Christ. I trust this will be interpreted as I intend, not by way of criticism, but as an expression of my actual experience. When the light first came to me, I was still in the labyrinth of these perplexities, but after a time I began to study our text-book, and with increased understanding I was guided along the straight and narrow way. The difficulties always adjust themselves as we gain the correct interpretation, followed by the right application of the divine law. In my own instance, mental uplift accompanied this, together with the complete healing, both physical and mental. I finished the high and normal school courses and later spent some time as a teacher.

In April, 1911, an added proof was given me of the efficacy of Christian Science. Early one Sunday morning, I was severely burned when a coal stove blew up. The burning cinders and hot ashes fastened themselves to my face, and the pain was intense; but I quickly declared the truth and tried to realize that as God, good, is all power and ever present, no accidents could occur and pain could not be real. Contrary to all mortal so-called laws, I immediately washed off the burning cinders and hot ashes with cold water. I then hastened to get Science and Health and tried to read, but found the pain so severe that I could not sit still. My eyes refused to stay open, for they too were badly burned. I had my elder sister read to me, while my younger brother went to ask a friend to help me. As soon as the treatment was started, the pain began to subside, and soon it had entirely disappeared. I went to church that morning, and only a few noticed the effects of the experience. No ill results followed, and it was indeed a sign to me. Science has made a happy home happier for our family, and every member now attends the church service and loves it.

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