Testimony of Healing October 20, 1923 Issue

It is over twenty years since I first heard of Christian Science

Annie Hampton

It is over twenty years since I first heard of Christian Science. I was then a very sick woman suffering from a terrible nervous disease, for which human remedies offered no cure. I studied closely "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, and tried my best to put what I read into practice. The first thing that left me was fear, and then the healing steadily continued. Though it was some years before I was able to rise above the seeming reality of disease, I can say that at the end of six years every trace of the sickness had left me, and I expressed perfect health in every way.

I should like to tell of an experience which I had toward the end of the war, and which proved the protective power of God as revealed through Christian Science. A friend and I had been staying in London. After making arrangements for our return journey to Belfast, Ireland, a sense of approaching danger came to my thought; and from that time it seemed necessary for me to keep my thought so close to God that I could not let go the truth for one moment. I was wakened in the night, and immediately prayed again to know God's presence and protection. For two hours I prayed and realized the truth, as I waited at Euston Station for my friend, the work continuing during all the time of the train journey to Fleetwood, where we embarked on the Belfast steamer. The boat did not start until midnight; but though we went to bed the inward voice seemed to keep on saying to me, "Your work is not finished;" and I scarcely slept, for I seemed to be wrestling with error all night. The same warning impelled me to get up early; and among the passengers I was the first on deck that morning. Just as I stepped on deck I saw something glitter on the water. I was not sure what it was, but pointed it out to a sailor, who exclaimed and ran to report it. As soon as I had given the warning all sense of the fear which had seemed to oppress me for two days left; it seemed my work was finished. I went below and told my friend, who would not believe I had seen a submarine until the passengers were ordered on deck and life belts served out. Our boat had at once begun to quicken speed, and the submarine gave chase, firing at us several times; but the shells fell harmlessly into the water; and after a race lasting about two hours the submarine gave up, and we came safely into Belfast Lough. Comparative calm and lack of excitement were noticeable on board among the passengers; and for myself I felt nothing but the uplifting sense of God's loving presence. Before the passengers left the ship at Belfast dock, the captain asked to be introduced to the lady who had given the warning of the submarine. I did not realize at the time that the captain considered that my giving the warning when I did had been the means of saving the ship, but it was told me afterwards. However, I knew it was God who had saved the ship, and that the understanding of His allness, as revealed through Christian Science, had uncovered the error and enabled me to hold to the truth when I felt the warning of impending danger.

I can never express in words how deeply grateful I feel to our dear Leader, Mrs. Eddy, for all that she has done for us. I could tell of many more blessings that Christian Science has brought into my life.

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