For some time before I heard of Christian Science, I longed...

Martha L. Gannaway with contributions from J. T. Gannaway

For some time before I heard of Christian Science, I longed for something, I knew not what. I was a member of a church which was expecting a big revival to begin, and for days I prayed that God would send an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Soon after the meetings began, I attended one; but what I wanted was not there.

Christian Science was presented to me shortly after this, and although I was very skeptical, I saw that others were benefited, so I thought I would give it a fair trial, as I was in great need of help, both mental and physical. From the first treatment I gradually grew better, but I had a long struggle with doubt and fear—I could not decide which was the right course to take. I prayed that if Christian Science was the right way, God would lead me on, and if it was not, that some obstacle would be placed in my way to turn me aside; but nothing appeared, so I kept on striving. It was six months after my first treatment before I had an opportunity to see a copy of Science and Health, but I read a few of the tracts and Journals, and the testimonies in these kept me hopeful, for I felt if God healed others He would heal me. I was cured of neuralgia through the treatment, and when I had the chance to read Science and Health and the Bible, together with the help of the Quarterly, I was freed from female trouble of several years' standing.

Since then I have been healed of typhoid fever in its worst form, entirely through absent treatment. Five children and myself were cured of the measles, the youngest child being then only three weeks old. I was in bed only half a day. We did not ask for treatment, but just relied on divine Love and our own understanding to do the work. Since that time we have moved to Chattanooga, where we can attend services. Six of my family, including myself, are members of First Church of Christ, Scientist, here. Neither tongue nor pen can express my joy and thankfulness for the good I have received from attending the church services, and the blessings that have come to my children through the Sunday school.

For several years I had an inharmonious condition internally. I did not feel uneasy and did not give it much attention, but the time came when something had to be done. The bowels appeared to be very much swollen; I could eat only a little at a meal, and could walk but a short distance. I then began to read and study more earnestly, and was impressed with the conviction that the trouble was an abnormal growth. The last four days the suffering seemed hard to bear, but I kept trying to do my customary housework. I would lie down and read, declare the truth, then get up and work a while. The fourth day my husband told me I had better get some one to treat me, but I said I would wait a little longer; if there was anything there that did not belong there, the truth would remove it. About two hours later a tumor passed away. The pain ceased in a few minutes, and I felt as if I could almost rise and fly, I was so light and free. For several days such a sense of peace and gladness filled my whole being that it seemed as if I were treading on air. It has been several years since this healing took place, and I am still free and happy.

Some time ago my husband fell backward, a clear fall of fifteen feet. The men with whom he was working carried him to the house. His suffering seemed almost unbearable, so I telephoned a practitioner to help him. In a few hours he was resting well enough to take a good nap. Some of the neighbors told him he would not be able to get out of bed for six weeks or longer, but he was up in less than a week. He could go up and down stairs in less than three weeks by using one crutch.

I have relied entirely on Christian Science for nineteen years, and words cannot express my gratitude for what it has done for me and my family. I am very thankful also for the Sentinel and the Monitor. They are so much help to me that I pass them on to my friends, who enjoy reading them.

Martha L. Gannaway, N. Chattanooga, Tenn.

I hereby certify that the above testimony is true.

J. T. Gannaway.

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