Testimony of Healing November 28, 1914 Issue

When Christian Science found me five years ago, I was ill...

Esther Dilley

When Christian Science found me five years ago, I was ill and unhappy. I had long suffered from what the doctors called extreme weakness—my limbs felt as if they were chained; I could not sleep, and often could not walk. I took every kind of medicine I thought would make me strong, only to become more discouraged. At last I threw the medicine away and made inquiry if Christian Science could help me. On that day a friend lent me a copy of Science and Health and showed me how to study the Lesson-Sermon. I had not the slightest understanding of Christian Science, but had asked God earnestly to show me some ray of light. To my astonishment I awoke early the following morning in perfect health. My joy was greater, perhaps, because I did not know that Christian Science could thus heal one; but I knew my sickness was gone, for all looked bright and beautiful. From that moment I felt love around me everywhere, and I knew this love came from God. My limbs were free—I had found "the liberty of the children of God."

The following week, knowing that God would help me, I gave a testimony in a Christian Science church here. I wanted to return thanks to God for all the good that had come to me, and no matter what another may say or think of this teaching, I have always before me the sweet memory of that healing. The erroneous conditions, however, could not have been entirely destroyed, for I was again attacked with the same trouble. I at once went to a practitioner and was helped; but I have had to learn that I can progress more in Christian Science if I work out my own problems. In this individual effort I have been reminded of a father who wished to make of his baby boy a fearless swimmer, and so plunged him into the water, never for a moment taking his eye from the child. Since helping myself more and not leaning on others, I know I am becoming less fearful. When the struggle between truth and error seems severe, I now know my heavenly Father's eye is always upon me and that I am in safe keeping.

Last summer I stood on a porch where I had lain so long in suffering and tears, and silently thanked God for all His love to me. I saw clearly that God was the same; nothing had changed but my own thought. I am now trying to see the good in others, for in so doing I am helping them as well as myself. Several of my dear ones whom I have not seen for many years are now Christian Science. I told them of my healing, saying they should seek for themselves, and they have surely found the truth, for which I am very grateful. I am deeply grateful, too, for the love shown me now by little children, also that I have been the means of bringing others to Truth. My thanksgiving to God is in the words of David: "Thus will I bless thee while I live: ... Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice."—Esther Dilley, Chicago, Ill.

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