Testimony of Healing November 23, 1918 Issue

At the beginning of the year 1911, when I had reached...

Nelson Cubbon

At the beginning of the year 1911, when I had reached the age of fifteen years, I was severely affected by a pain in my left hip, and this, before April of that year, developed into tubercular trouble. An abscess formed and burst, when I was sent into the local hospital. Three months later I returned home, the doctors permitting me to walk, using my right leg and crutches. The abscess was not healed, but the doctors were of the opinion that it would heal very shortly. In this they were mistaken, for six months later a further abscess formed. This time our doctor, who, I may here remark, was kindness itself, advised that I should go immediately into hospital. This suggestion was acted upon. I underwent a severe operation of two hours' duration, the result of which necessitated my remaining in hospital for a period of six months. At the end of this period I was discharged very much improved, although only two out of three wounds had healed.

From my discharge in September to the following July, I was attended by the district nurse. Up to and during this time I was unable to sit up, either in bed or in a chair. I had but two alternatives,—walking on crutches, of which I could do but little, or lying flat; therefore I spent most of my time in those days lying on a camp bed in our garden, having a fresh air cure in mind. There being no sign of the remaining wound healing, from the time when I had been discharged from hospital a year previously, I again returned for another operation, which it was anticipated would be satisfactory. Contrary to all hopes and expectations I came out in a much worse state than when admitted; but, thank God, it was just here that Christian Science came into my life. Man's extremity is indeed God's opportunity. Two of my now best friends were the channels whereby the subject was introduced to me. Though I knew nothing of the teaching—in fact, had never heard its name before—I felt sure it was going to help me. I felt convinced that my healing was only a matter of time. I may say here that this belief of time was a detriment to a speedy healing; had I not so believed I should probably have experienced a more rapid cure, but even while we are under this belief there are many advantage in a slow healing. I would not have had mine otherwise, when I look back. These advantages may not be apparent at the time, but they are there nevertheless. For instance, there was ample opportunity for study and meditation on this great subject, such as could not be had were one instantaneously healed and ushered into a business life.

I was under a practitioner's care for approximately a year with no apparent benefit—on the contrary, I rather grew worse, so early in 1915 changed practitioners. Again I was disappointed, there being no improvement. In May, still hopeful, I asked another practitioner to take up my case, which by this time was in a worse state than ever. I was entirely unable to walk, being in fact absolutely confined to my bed. After three months' treatment from this worker, I was delighted by an improvement. It was slow but steady; and the fact became apparent that I was gradually getting better. I felt as I never did before. The wounds healed; other conditions disappeared; and in February, 1916, I had the desire to get up. My first attempt was only for two hours' duration: after being eighteen months continuously in bed, this was no small change. A couple of weeks later I was able to go downstairs, and eventually to take a short walk outside. Six months thereafter I had so far improved as to be able to travel and see the practitioner who had been the means of helping me to a realization of my God-given heritage, health.

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