Testimony of Healing March 26, 1921 Issue

I am glad for the opportunity of again expressing...

Persis A. Cox

I am glad for the opportunity of again expressing through the periodicals my gratitude for the teachings of Christian Science. In the more than fifteen years since I became a student of its teachings, I have had many healings, which include mental, physical, and financial betterment. Of these happy experiences, the following may be of interest. At a time when there was great fear of what is called the grip or influenza, I was teaching in a school at some distance from my home. On a particular day I expected to teach for several hours and then take a thirty-mile journey to fill a concert engagement. In the morning I awakened with most of the symptoms of this prevailing malady, but on keeping thought patiently and persistently in line with the truths of Christian Science I was enabled to do the teaching creditably.

On walking to the train, an unfrequented street was chosen, and the "scientific statement of being," found on page 468 of our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, was declared audibly. It seemed as if the familiar words had never meant so much to me and the truth contained in them was truly a staff upon which I leaned. Still the sense of exhaustion and fever was almost overpowering and the thought kept recurring, How am I to do all that is expected of me at that concert—especially as I am not to have notes and I feel anything but clear-headed? I rested quietly on the train, however, and read at intervals from "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany," by Mrs. Eddy, which I had taken with me. Argument was endeavoring to convince me that this illness was the result of several weeks of hard work, during which there had been almost no time for the study of the Science which I loved. At this point, turning to page 161 of Miscellany I read these words: "Lest human reason becloud spiritual understanding, say not in thy heart: Sickness is possible because one's thought and conduct do not afford a sufficient defence against it. Trust in God, and 'He shall direct thy paths.'" This I joyfully accepted as my answer, and little by little fear was overcome, until at the journey's end I felt greatly relieved, and my confidence in God's ability to lead every step of the way was restored. It is sufficient to say that I was told by those present that the concert was unusually enjoyable, and no one knew of the battle of error against Truth until told a few days later.

A somewhat more recent experience is also remembered with especial gratitude. There came a time, in spite of much good which had unfolded in my profession, when things seemed unusually dark. After years of conscientious work the outlook seemed less hopeful than at any time I could recall. Then I remembered how physical help had come to another a few weeks before through the illumination, to my thought, of these passages from Science and Health, "Be firm in your understanding that the divine Mind governs, and that in Science man reflects God's government" (p. 393). I saw that this admonition was just as applicable to the present difficulty, and set to work as we are taught in Christian Science. Several days of earnest study brought the conviction that God's law operates continuously and that the result of its operation would be manifested in my affairs. In a week's time, from an unexpected source there came an offer, the acceptance of which has proved most happy both artistically and financially. Through such experiences fear becomes beautifully less, and we learn to be "instant in season, out of season," and, in the words of Mrs. Eddy, to "stand porter at the door of thought" (Science and Health, p. 392). Is it any wonder that we are grateful to the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science?

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