Testimony of Healing December 31, 1921 Issue

Twenty-five years ago I was healed through Christian Science...

John J. Hesler

Twenty-five years ago I was healed through Christian Science treatment of a stomach and back trouble. I had been treated by many doctors and had taken much medicine, and had also had a course of electric treatment, but nothing did me any good. I became interested in Christian Science through the healing of my wife's mother, who had been confined to her bed for many months, suffering from inflammatory rheumatism and was unable to move. In a few weeks after starting Christian Science treatment she was entirely healed. Then I determined to call on the practitioner for treatment for myself. I did not want any one to know that I even thought of having treatment, and did not tell any one, but like Nicodemus who came secretly to Jesus, I found this practitioner by night. A few treatments were given and I was helped, but not healed. When the next attack of stomach trouble came upon me I turned back to the doctors, one of whom made this statement: "Young man, it is a good thing for you that you have that insurance, as I could never pass you for insurance again." He treated me for a few weeks, but I did not improve; instead I became worse.

At that point I remembered the help I had received in Christian Science a few months before and was convinced that the only thing left for me to do was to return to the practitioner and ask for further treatment. This I did, but it was with humility and sincere trust in God; these I did not possess when calling for treatment the first time. After having treatment for a few weeks, absolute and permanent healing was experienced. It was then that I commenced to read "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. I am everlastingly grateful, not only for the faithful work of the practitioner in accomplishing the healing, but because from the very start she showed me how to work for myself. Since my healing I have not lost a day or an hour from business because of illness. During this time, however, I have not always been free; there have been a few times when I called for help, but in nearly every instance I have worked out my own problems.

Although a subscriber for The Christian Science Journal and Sentinel for many years, the time came, one year ago, when I became obsessed with the mesmerism of mortal mind to believe it was the right thing not to renew my subscriptions to these periodicals. Although I wanted to know and read the good things they contained, I did not look at one for ten months. I could not, however, give up The Christian Science Monitor. I would buy that whenever I saw it at news stands. It is beyond words of mine to express the feeling of relief, the load lifted, when the demonstration was made and I again subscribed for the periodicals. Gratitude for all of the activities instituted by Mrs. Eddy and for all that they have done for mankind fills my heart, and I am deeply thankful to God for Christian Science.—John J. Hesler, Chicago, Illinois.