Testimony of Healing July 2, 1921 Issue

How fruitless it is for one to continue seeking greater...

Howard Compton

How fruitless it is for one to continue seeking greater riches in heaven and fail to share with others his present blessings. The Christian Science periodicals are channels which Mrs. Eddy has provided, through which each one may testify to his healing, and while enjoying the testimonies and articles of others it occurred to me what a selfish plan I had pursued in not adding mine. We have enjoyed Christian Science in the home for nearly twenty years. I was fortunate in having an early start in the Christian Science Sunday school, although for some time I was the only boy of my age attending and I tried in every way to get out of going, but thanks to my good mother I had to go regularly. As I grew older I gradually became more interested, and began sincere study before reaching the age limit. Perhaps much is accepted without the same appreciation felt by one learning of Christian Science in later years and after many hardships.

The opportunity to prove the healing power of Christian Science came while I was in the service. On account of a scarlet fever epidemic at a recruit camp we were lined up daily for medical inspection. I was the first in our company to show symptoms of the fever, and soon found myself in the isolation hospital for thirty days' confinement. Fortunately, I had both the Bible and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, and was able to read daily. The fever soon left and although at first quite weak I gradually regained strength. My ward sergeant said half jokingly, upon my leaving for the convalescent ward, that he wished all his patients were Christian Scientists. There was not any medicine prescribed for me at any time, and the sergeant's daily routine was that much lighter. Through the understanding of a Christian Science practitioner who was called after my transfer as a convalescent, there were absolutely no after effects from this experience, and I later passed a very rigid physical examination for pilot in the air service. While flying, whether apparently lost in a low, dense fog and barely avoiding grain elevators, silos, farmhouses, and what not, or whether over strange hilly country at dusk seeking a landing spot,—no matter what the circumstance, I was confident of God's support and guidance and always had cause for gratitude.

It was near the end of a two weeks' zigzag voyage overseas, while I was congratulating myself on freedom from seasickness and was wandering from the straight and narrow path of watchfulness, that a sickness which I long afterwards learned was influenza seemed to overcome me; but again, as always, healing came through the understanding of the truth of being as taught in Christian Science. And when we received the rumors of pestilence in the States, how reassuring it was to realize that no disease could possibly prevent the home fires burning, and that this was but another opportunity to witness the absolute healing power revealed by Mary Baker Eddy, who on page 210 of "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" says: "Good thoughts are an impervious armor; clad therewith you are completely shielded from the attacks of erro of every sort. And not only yourselves are safe, but all whom your thoughts rest upon are thereby benefited."

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