I want to send an undying wave of gratitude throughout...

Fred Cannings

I want to send an undying wave of gratitude throughout the world for complete deliverance from the blackest mental night, solely through the study of Christian Science and its interpretation of the Bible, together with loyal help given me by a practitioner of Christian Science.

From boyhood I had read the Bible; but I was unable to accept a denominational presentation of it, because in the light of such the Bible promised salvation from human troubles conditionally. After attending ten different denominational churches, and traveling in this country to hear many well-known preachers, my mental condition was one of utter despair. I had also read many theological books, but found in them no practical aid to salvation. Gratitude, however, is due to Christian friends for kindness shown to me during this period, and for their many efforts to help me.

Eleven years ago a complete mental breakdown resulted, and, after personal appeals to several ministers of religion, I ruminated that my concept of religion seemed in my dilemma only an irritating theory, which mocked me in my extremity. I suffered acutely from fear, insomnia, and internal troubles, for which I took drugs, underwent massage and other treatment in a nursing home, and was finally ordered therefrom—by a specialist—to London, the hope being that by endeavoring to concentrate my thought on its varieties I might regain my equilibrium. Not one of these forms of treatment gave me mental relief, although I received kind and earnes attention from my friends and medical advisers. I returned to my work, after six months of idleness, in a very unstable state, and resolved not to think seriously about anything. I put the Bible away, let religion go, but never abandoned the thought that God was to be understood.

About five years ago I was called to serve in the British Army. I got through my training, and then totally collapsed again mentally. I realized that God alone could save me from that situation, and wrote to my friends asking them to pray for me, for I greatly feared loss of reason. Believing then that death would afford cessation to my torture, I sincerely prayed to God that death might occur. I was ultimately discharged from a military hospital as an incurable. At this crisis, God answered our prayers by ushering me into "the vestibule of Christian Science" (Miscellany, p. 159), wherein eternal life is both understood and demonstrated. I knew nothing of its teachings, but felt impelled to go to a practitioner. When she asked me if I wanted treatment, I replied that I had not the faintest notion what she meant, but would submit to anything that promised easement. Patient treatment was given me, and I began to mend. I read the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, every possible minute day and night, and at once saw therein assurance of certain solution to all my woes. I quickly returned to my employment in a Government office, where I was required to work on both day and night duties; and to-day I am enabled through Christian Science to do my work well and easily; also to study many hours each week additionally. My health is perfect, mentally and physically.

I have had many beautiful healings, but am especially grateful to God for the instantaneous healing of insomnia, and for the glimpse of divine Love granted me during that demonstration. The healing resulted from absent treatment, at a time when hope had almost left me. I am grateful, too, for all that Christ Jesus has done for humanity, and to God's other servant, Mary Baker Eddy, who also endured that I might have life, and have it "more abundantly."

For the privileges of membership in The Mother Church and a branch church, and for class instruction, I desire to return thanks. I praise God that I realize that, as Mrs. Eddy says in Science and Health (p. 569), "he that touches the hem of Christ's robe and masters his mortal beliefs, animality and hate, rejoices in the proof of healing,—in a sweet and certain sense that God is Love."

Fred Cannings, Parkstone, Dorset, England.

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