Testimony of Healing November 5, 1921 Issue

My first knowledge of Christian Science came many...

Amos W. Ballinger with contributions from R. M. Montgomery

My first knowledge of Christian Science came many years ago. I was then pastor of a large church, which was located near a Christian Science church. Here I heard of the large attendance at the Christian Science church and of the wonderful testimonies of healing. A lady who was a teacher in the public schools and a member of the church of which I was pastor told me of the Christian Science children in her schoolroom, and spoke in the highest praise of both children and parents. While serving as pastor my health was very bad, and son resulted in a complete breakdown, causing me to give up the ministry. During a long and distressing illness, while near the end, my family asked for Christian Science treatment, which was kindly given, and from which I received great benefit. It was here I made a great mistake by trying to "put new wine into old bottles." Regaining my health to a degree, I again began preaching in a church where I had had a long pastorate in former years. Here I again served for five years, during which time several healings took place. My health again failed, and I was again forced out of the ministry.

The disappointment of giving up the church, along with other inharmonious conditions, made life almost unbearable, and many times I longed for the end, which at times seemed almost in sight. However, in this mental condition I was afraid to live and also afraid to die. Then followed about six years of untold suffering, both physical and mental. Indeed, I knew by experience something of the orthodox hell I had preached. During this time many physicians were tried, including specialists. I also tried various other kinds of treatment, but all to no avail. One year was spent in hospitals and sanatoriums, in one of which I underwent three operations. After the last operation I was prostrate for nearly six months, then rallied again, only to relapse in a little while. Money, health, and hope gone, and mentally discouraged, I was almost distracted. At this time I only weighed about ninety pounds. It was while I was in this condition that my doctor told me there was no hope for me. He said that medicine would do me no good and that unless God helped me I must die, and added that I had one chance of recovery, and that was through Christian Science. When he spoke of Christian Science new hope came at once, and on that day I took my last dose of medicine, and absent treatment in Christian Science was asked for. My healing though slow began at once. In a little while I could eat, sleep, and walk, and the joy of living returned and I was not only happy, but thought the the happiest man living. I now weigh one hundred and fifty-five pounds. The following spring I secured a position and have not lost any time since, but can work all day and without any sense of weariness whatever. I am now in better health than at any time in my life. Peace of mind, harmony, and prosperity attend my way. I am thankful to God, the giver of all good, and only good, and grateful to Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, and to all who have so kindly helped me out of darkness into light, out of sickness into health, out of sorrow into joy, out of mental distress into peace, and out of a sense of things material into a knowledge of things spiritual.

I am also grateful for membership in a local church and in The Mother Church, and for class instruction. I desire above all to faithfully practice my understanding of the Principle of Christian Science and to so live that my life will express true thanksgiving.

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