Testimony of Healing May 10, 1919 Issue

A few years ago my mother was taken suddenly ill one...

Gertrude E. Phipps

A few years ago my mother was taken suddenly ill one evening with a form of so-called paralysis, so that she was not able to stand. My sister was interested in Christian Science, and with much reluctance I consented to call a practitioner. The next morning my mother could stand and dress herself, but my own fear was so great that I thought she was still ill. I insisted upon calling a doctor, for I would not risk Christian Science (as I understood it) to finish the work. For six days after that the condition grew worse. The patient became entirely helpless, and it was said she could live but a few days; that if by any possibility she should recover, she would never be able to walk again. I was finally ready to say, Thy will and not mine, be done; so the physicians and medical nurse gave place to Christian Science treatment. I remember how much I felt like a child putting my hand in a loving Father's, willing to be led. Within a week my mother was joyously walking about the room, and in a few weeks more she walked through the Exposition grounds with very little weariness.

I shall always be very grateful for that demonstration, as it brought the first ray of light to my darkened sense. Since then many problems have been worked out through my understanding of God, and I am sincerely grateful to all who have so patiently and wisely led me, when my thoughts stumbled, through the seeming darkness. A physical disorder which had been troubling me since childhood has entirely disappeared without special treatment; also there has been a much improved condition of my teeth. Mrs. Eddy says, "The recuperative action of the system, when mentally sustained by Truth, goes on naturally" (Science and Health, p. 447). One morning while I was using an alcohol lamp a fire broke out on my table. Several inflammable articles were near and the blaze was quite high. I left the room to get water but could find nothing in which to fetch it. On returning I found that the flames had increased. The window curtains were near, and my fear was intense, for I was alone in a stranger's house. I cried out, What shall I do? and the answer came: There is but one way. Turn to God. I stood and faced the flames, knowing that matter cannot burn, for all is infinite Mind. They immediately went out. I had used no material means and had proved that "perfect love casteth out fear," for on page 586 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy has interpreted fire as "fear."

Christian Science is teaching me daily to obey God and be grateful, and I cannot in words express my gratitude to that "noble type of womanhood," Mrs. Eddy, who has wakened the world from its slumbers of ignorance to the spiritual truth that God is All-in-all. That our literature is bringing healing to the nations and protecting those who are dear to us is cause for gratitude, which is best expressed in watchfulness and prayer for that Mind to be in us "which was also in Christ Jesus."

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