Testimony of Healing June 13, 1914 Issue

Christian Science first came to my home some sixteen...

Rachel A. Banister

Christian Science first came to my home some sixteen years ago, through a friend whom my mother had invited to spend the summer with us. This friend had not been in touch with mother for many years, and at the time she accepted the invitation she wrote that before coming she wished to tell us that she was a Christian Scientist. I well remember the remark called forth by this news,—"Well, she need not think she will make a Christian Scientist of me." All we knew of Christian Science was what little we had heard from people who were not at all friendly and probably knew little of the subject. The friend came, but she did not offer to discuss her religion, nor did she show her literature until asked to do so. Upon being questioned, she told mother of her healing through Christian Science of a bleeding malignant growth on her face, after having been given up to die by the physicians. There was not a mark left to show where the growth had been. Mother became very much interested and studied with her, but I was quite well satisfied with the old church.

At that time I was a physical wreck, and had left school on account of a nervous breakdown. This was one of the greatest trials of my life, as I loved to study. I was suffering with what the physician called dislocation of the shoulder-blade. Orders had been given me never to do anything that would strain the shoulder, such as sweeping, lifting heavy articles, etc., as it was feared that serious complications would ensue if great care was not exercised. In connection with this trouble I was told that there were two ribs on my right side which would slip out of place with certain movements.

For several years I had been unable to eat anything that one would wish to eat, all good things being on the list of "forbidden articles." For at least three years I was afflicted with nervous colic. Every morning I awoke in great pain, and would call for something hot to drink, after which I would go to sleep again. I was wearing glasses on account of what a specialist called a bad case of structural defect of the eye, and the verdict was, "You will always have to wear glasses." I was almost never without a headache, and at times the attacks were so violent that I could seem to find no place on the bed to put my head. Altogether, I was in a most deplorable condition.

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