Testimony of Healing November 11, 1922 Issue

One evening, in the early part of March, 1922, I was...

Duane S. Somervell

One evening, in the early part of March, 1922, I was suddenly seized with a very severe attack of acute influenza. I worked for myself, as we are taught to do in Christian Science, constantly during the evening, through the night, and well into the morning. I did not sleep, physically or mentally. I could not do the former; I dared not do the latter. At one time in the night, conditions developed apparently so seriously and critically that I felt it would be wisdom to call for help. But I remembered how, some three years previous, while in the service in Siberia, I had been confronted with similar conditions seemingly equally severe; how I had been forced to rely upon my own understanding of God and the things of God; and how I had been healed in three or four hours. I was in a position then where it was not possible for me to telephone to some faithful practitioner, set him to work, and then drop back upon my pillow with a smile of satisfaction, feeling that somebody was working for me. I remembered that I had to work for myself in Science, or pay the price. I worked; I was healed. As I remembered all this, the thought occurred to me that if I had been able successfully to meet the same condition then, I certainly ought to be able to meet it now, if, during the interim, I had been realizing anything of the truth that "progress in the law of God," as Mrs. Eddy tells us on page 233 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." So I continued working mentally for myself. By morning, I was completely free from all of the acute symptoms and conditions of the night before.

That morning I walked to my office, as had been my daily custom, a walk of some forty minutes. In the afternoon I conducted a service. In order to conduct this service, I was compelled, by reason of circumstances, to ride in an open conveyance for an hour and a half, or more, exposed to a cold wind and rain. I suffered no reaction, reversal, or relapse because of this exposure. From any doctor's viewpoint, to have left my bed the morning following the night that I had manifested such symptoms and conditions would have been most unwise, if not dangerous; but to have exposed myself to the elements, as I did, would have seemed very little short of inviting fatality. I had been called upon to render a holy and needed service. I felt it my duty and privilege to do so, and that the very nature of the service would be my protection. During that ride I endeavored to dwell with the thoughts of Truth. From these thoughts I realized a sense of fearlessness, peace, and comfort—physical as well as mental.

I am grateful to God for being just what He is—good and All. More one could not ask; more could not be had. I am grateful to Christ Jesus, who suffered much, and who revealed to mankind the real nature of God and man, and their relation the one to the other, thereby becoming our Savior and Way-shower. I am grateful to our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, that gentle woman who likewise endured much for mankind, and who once again made available and practicable the art of right thinking and right living. I am grateful for Mrs. Eddy's great demonstration, the Christian Science movement, and all that it means,—all its departments, branches, and activities,—a living testimony of revealed Principle and Love due to a pure-minded and consecrated woman. I grateful for all the good that has come to me and to all mankind; not forgetting that genuine and heartfelt gratitude is best expressed in quiet, consecrated knowing and living the life of Christ, our flawless Ensample and ideal.

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