Testimony of Healing September 6, 1924 Issue

I read recently with great pleasure the book "Christian Science War Time Activities,"...

Harry Franklin Porter

I read recently with great pleasure the book "Christian Science War Time Activities," outlining and recounting the war work of Christian Scientists. The extent and scope of this work and the accomplishments were to me a revelation. While at Camp Taylor, where I was stationed for the greater part of the emergency, an abundance of opportunity presented itself for me to apply my understanding of divine Principle. Almost the first day after I had succeeded to the command of my organization (the Camp Utilities), a spinal meningitis suspect was isolated by the surgeon and the entire detachment quarantined. As the operation of utilities and general camp maintenance depended on us, this was a serious matter. I at once began to declare the truth mentally. Results were almost immediately apparent, first in the allayment of any excitement or hysteria, and soon after in the granting of all requested exemptions from the quarantine. In fact, the quarantine was practically a dead letter after the first day; and the third day saw it officially withdrawn. There were no additional cases. The one suspect proved to have a very mild attack, and was discharged from the hospital in the minimum period.

When an epidemic hit our camp, our organization was called upon to fit up several barracks as overflow wards and also to install cubicles by means of cloth partitions between cots throughout the hospital area. Several of my officers, numbers of the men, and I were thus brought into close contact with patients. Not once did I yield to the fear of contagion. I knew the disease for what it was,—namely, an expression of fear,—and held fast to the truth. As the result, none of my officers, nor any of the administrative personnel (mixed soldier and civilian), were afflicted. A few of the boys in the detachment succumbed, but none of the cases were serious. Afterwards, I had occasion to make a statistical study of the so-called epidemic, and was very much gratified to find (as I suspected) that the Utilities Detachment showed the smallest percentage of incidence, and was one of the few organizations in camp that had no casualties.

My post as Camp Utilities officer brought me into close contact with the camp surgeon and base hospital authorities. I was called upon to render them many special services, and to cooperate with them freely at all times. I count it a signal accomplishment in the practice of Christian Science that not once was there any friction between us. In fact, the medical officers proved to be among my very best friends and supporters in getting action on matters originated by my office. Not once, throughout it all, did I volunteer the information that I was an adherent of Christian Science; nor did I once permit myself to be drawn into a discussion involving religious or medical topics. To this fact I ascribe no little credit for the results. "Be still, and know that I am God," I have always found to be excellent policy.

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