Testimony of Healing September 25, 1915 Issue

I have long desired to tell what Christian Science has done...

Caroline Hood

I have long desired to tell what Christian Science has done for me and mine. Three years ago my son, who was twelve years of age, became suddenly ill. We thought he had sprained his ankle, as there was acute inflammation and swelling, so we did our best in Christian Science for a few days. Then we saw the case was critical and I consented to call a doctor, thinking Christian Science treatment could be taken up afterward. The doctor, however, ordered the boy sent to the hospital, where he was immediately operated on for the removal of diseased bone and an abscess. A poisoned condition of the blood followed, and for several days he lay in a semiconscious state. At length all hope of his recovery was given up and I was sent for. He was then unconscious. At last I called on a Christian Science practitioner for aid. She advised me to sit beside the child and read Science and Health and she would treat him.

When I went to the hospital, to mortal sense my son seemed to be passing away, but I clung to the truth and knew that disease could not stop the manifestation of Life, for God was his life. In a short time, to the surprise of the nurses, he was able to recognize my voice as I read to him. One nurse afterward told me that it was no human aid which restored the lad that day, and she asked permission to read my copy of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy. When the boy was admitted to the hospital he was asked his religion. He said he was a Christian Scientist, and this fact was recorded on a card at the head of his bed, as is the rule with all the patients. He began to show signs of recovery, but in three weeks the trouble appeared on the other leg and another operation promptly took place. These operations were regarded as extremely painful, and directly he began to rally after one, another would be considered necessary on a different part of the body, until about eight were performed in as many months. The doctors when asked not to operate would say, "If you can tell me how to remove diseased bone without cutting and scraping it out, do so," and the operations went on, till the child seemed about to pass away; but even then another operation was expected.

One Sunday the Lesson-Sermon was "Ancient and Modern Necromancy, alias Mesmerism and Hypnotism, Denounced," and the first reader's selection from the Bible was from the seventh and eighth chapters of Exodus, where the magicians failed to do all the works of Moses and acknowledged, "This is the finger of God." From that moment I determined to take my child home, and notified the doctor of my intention. He asked me if I realized what I was doing, and spoke of the seriousness of the case, saying that I was going against the advice of the medical staff and must sign a paper to that effect, adding that they might refuse to readmit the patient, The nurses and all were deeply concerned at my act. The doctor had said it would be impossible for inexperienced hands to dress the numerous wounds, as I could easily realize when I saw my son's body. The district nurses therefore came daily to do this until I could do it myself.

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