Testimony of Healing December 15, 1917 Issue

The testimonies of benefits received through the teachings...

Harriet E. Werner

The testimonies of benefits received through the teachings of Christian Science, as they appear in the Sentinel and the Journal, become more and more a rebuke to me, because I have so long withheld my own. Sickness and evil seemed very real to me always, and experiences strengthened belief in their power and presence, so that even when a young girl and fairly well myself, the misery of the world seemed a terrible thing, for which one could do so little. Then came marriage and motherhood and the failure of my own strength and courage, one sick spell after another, and all sorts of diseased conditions. For a few years I followed the beaten path of medical methods. One physician after another told me that I could never be well and strong, till it became a settled conviction and I tried to make the best of it. Drugs had little effect, yet there were times when something had to be done and we knew of nothing better.

I cannot remember a time when I was not interested in spiritual things; as a child I loved the Sunday school and committed to memory many verses from the Bible, which later on were very helpful in demonstrating Christian Science. As sickness and trouble grew more oppressive, I turned more to the Bible and thought much about Jesus' words and works, wondering why we could not heal as he did and contending that our religion was lacking in some way, else it would heal disease. There came a time when I emptied out my medicine bottles and threw them as far as I could, because I had been poisoned through a mistake and was without any faith in drugs.

The loss of our one child had added the last drop seemingly to a bitter cup. Then my husband's health failed and my thought was turned more from self in caring for him. After discarding all drugs for myself, I seemed for two years before hearing of Christian Science to gain a firmer tone somehow, and my physical condition improved considerably; but always there was the seeming lack of strength, fear of consequences, and carefulness. I was worn out with the long illness and later by the death of my husband, but another year passed before I heard of Christian Science, though I now know I had caught a glimpse of the truth "in the quiet sanctuary of earnest longings" (Science and Health, p. 15) and had been helped by it. After hearing of a case of healing in our neighborhood, spoken of as faith cure, I was interested. I finally heard the name Christian Science, but three months passed before it penetrated the cloak of "resignation" in which I had wrapped myself.

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