In the spring of 1911 I contracted what is known as...

Bothilde Blichfeld

In the spring of 1911 I contracted what is known as snow blindness, and for a year and a half suffered terribly, as the attacks would come on during summer and winter alike and force me to stay in a darkened room for days. Between attacks my eyes would look dull and watery. I could not read or sew for more than a few minutes at a time, and if I looked people straight in the face, tears would run down my cheeks. I bathed the eyes with lotions, and used different kinds of glasses, but without relief.

In the summer of 1912 a neighbor asked me why I did not try Christian Science, and told of her own healing in one treatment. This lady had, however, no real knowledge of the Principle of this religion, and I felt inclined to treat the matter lightly; nevertheless, I was willing to investigate anything which promised relief. After I had read in the Sentinel a few testimonies concerning the healing of eye diseases of many years' standing by the reading of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, I sent for that wonderful book. On a certain day I decided to give the book a trial, and consequently set to work on a piece of fine needlework, keeping at it until my head seemed bursting with pain, and when I picked up Science and Health I could scarcely see the letters.

I was very skeptical, but the first sentence in the chapter on Prayer arrested my attention, and breathlessly I read on; for I realized that I had found what I had longed for all my life and never before could find. When I read the statement on page 16, "Only as we rise above all material sensuousness and sin, can we reach the heaven-born aspiration and spiritual consciousness, which is indicated in the Lord's Prayer and which instantaneously heals the sick," my heart sank, because the subject seemed so large and I understood so little of what I had read; but it was proved that even a little understanding of Truth will do wonders, because I realized at the same moment that all pain had vanished, and when I jumped to a mirror I looked into two bright eyes. The healing has lasted to this day.

Shortly afterward my understanding proved sufficient to bring about an instantaneous healing of a burn, and also to prove God's protection when I fell and put my arm, bare up to the elbow, through a glass pane in the hotbed. The glass broke into many pieces, but I did not get a scratch. If I ever happened to cut my fingers, a few moments of silent prayer would stop the bleeding, and I have never had a cut bandaged since my first healing.

That same autumn I allowed some unpleasant happenings to worry me, and an old complaint, called "shingles," appeared. For about a year I suffered greatly, scarcely sleeping a night, and my work in Christian Science apparently did not avail anything. Finally I felt so stupid and dull that the words I read carried no meaning with them. I did not know any Christian Scientists, nor how to find a practitioner; so I decided to take a trip to a city where I had heard there was a Christian Science church. I shall never forget that first night. The moment I entered the church I was filled with peace, and the very faces of some of those present shone with a light I had never thought possible in this world. A testimony dealing with a case similar to mine showed that I had been looking to the body for proofs of healing, instead of trusting God, and I was healed that same night. At the next Wednesday evening meeting I was so overjoyed by this proof of God's power that I overcame a sense of fear of speaking in public and gave a testimony. Since then I have met so much love and helpfulness from more advanced Christian Scientists that I shall never cease to be grateful to these dear friends.

I have had other healings too numerous to mention, chief among them the correction of a displacement, for which a well-known doctor had advised an operation, if I ever hoped to be well. Stomach and bowel trouble, colds, sick headaches, sensitiveness, resentment, and worry have also been overcome. The healings have been glorious, but they are as nothing compared with the spiritual joy and peace which is mine now, and which grows each day. I am full of thankfulness to God and to Christ Jesus, the Way-shower; also grateful to our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, for the new light cast on the Bible by our Lesson-Sermons and periodicals. I feel deep gratitude, too, for class instruction, which has made it possible for me to help others, and for membership in The Mother Church.

Mrs. Bothilde Blichfeld, Brigade Lake, B. C., Canada.

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Testimony of Healing

I have received many blessings from Christian Science

May 18, 1918

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