Testimony of Healing October 27, 1923 Issue

Because the study and application of Christian Science...

Frederick Richard Johnson

Because the study and application of Christian Science have brought into my experience so much blessing and have changed my outlook on life, I desire to add my testimony to the many which are going out through our periodicals, like a stream, bringing refreshment to the weary and giving strength and encouragement to seekers after Truth.

For many years, as an active worker engaged in evangelistic and missionary work in England and afterwards in China, I was an earnest Bible student; and while endeavoring to give the gospel message to the weary and heavy-laden, I always had an intense longing to follow in the footsteps of the blessed Master and heal the sick. The excuse so frequently and insistently drilled into one, that the miracles of Jesus and his disciples were for the establishment of Christianity, but were not now possible, never really satisfied one's reason; although, through a mistaken sense of faithfulness to one's church and creed, one was almost afraid to think there must be a better way to heal than by drugs and ointments. Frequently, as I talked to crowds in market places or before heathen temples, telling the story of Jesus' many deeds of love and mercy, or explaining the gospel to sick and diseased folk waiting at the mission hospitals, the questions would be asked, "Where is the power of Christ Jesus now?" "Why cannot you do those things?" and it seemed but a poor substitute, to discourse eloquently on the power and love of God, to picture a happy future beyond the grave, and then fall back on pills and lotions for the dire needs of the moment.

When circumstances led me to withdraw from active religious work and again follow a business career, I became interested in social welfare work. For a time this more practical method seemed to offer a wider scope; but I soon discovered that theory and practice were again far, far apart, and cynical resentment against existing conditions, together with the apparent hopelessness of changing them, only increased what was anything but a happy frame of mind. To use Paul's words, I felt truly without hope "and without God in the world."

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