Testimony of Healing April 29, 1922 Issue

A scalding accident at the age of two years so shocked...

John Montgomery Turner with contributions from Jane Hall Turner

A scalding accident at the age of two years so shocked my system that the results followed me through childhood, youth, and early manhood. I was never strong; colds affected me severely, my digestion was poor, and I suffered intermittently from asthma. I lost much time from school and business in consequence. I early became addicted to the excessive use of tobacco and liquor, and relied on strong headache powders, stimulating drugs, and medical assistance, none of which afforded more than temporary relief.

In January, 1908, I attended my first Christian Science service,—a testimony meeting. Not at first impressed, I accompanied my wife thereafter in deference to her wish. In a few weeks' time my digestion became normal. I knew that my interest in Christian Science and my wife's study and prayerful desire had accomplished this result, and my interest was thereby stimulated. I began to read the Lesson-Sermons and the Christian Science literature. The asthma returning, the aid of a Christian Science practitioner was sought, and the malady soon yielded; after which, treatment was continued, with the result that in about three weeks alcohol and tobacco had lost all attraction for me,—in fact, were most repugnant. Needless to say, all these healings have been permanent; my physical regeneration is complete; and I have never resorted to any other cure than Christian Science since I have seen its workings. I have gained about thirty pounds in weight and am in robust health. The healing and sustaining power of God were proven to me when, entering an all-day session of shorthand reporting, ill with incipient influenza, I emerged healed and with my work well done—this with the aid of a dear practitioner.

In the past fourteen years I have enjoyed the privilege of class instruction, and have served in several offices of the branch church of which I am a member. But the greatest blessing of all is the unshakable understanding that God, good, is all; that His creation—spiritual, eternal, intact—is the only creation that really is, and that all else counts as nothing. All thankfulness is due our revered Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, for having presented to mankind the truth of being in such comprehensive form that all may know it and begin to be free from the limitations of material sense. She has opened to us the Bible; and the light cast thereon through her illuminated sense, as set forth in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," renders its spiritual treasures accessible to any sincere seeker after Truth. The Mother Church Manual stands forth conspicuously as one of the greatest blessings which Mrs. Eddy has given us, and strict obedience to its By-laws has been proven an absolute essential to the progress and orderly well-being of our cause.

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