Testimony of Healing October 31, 1925 Issue

I did not become interested in Christian Science for...

Bertha Castanien

I did not become interested in Christian Science for physical healing, but because Christian Scientists seemed to have something I wanted, indeed needed, and because there seemed nothing else to go to. I was practically driven to it by worry, mental depression, and a hopeless longing for something to put in the place of the God I had formerly loved, but now had discarded as of no avail. My only son had been badly hurt in an accident, scarred and maimed; and I attributed this to God. This, and a great trouble, formidable and disturbing, that came to my home, made me restless, rebellious, irritable, very despondent, unhappy, and hopeless.

A long-loved friend who had become a Christian Scientist found me in this condition and remarked that if only I could learn something of Christian Science, I would find it such a comfort. I gently turned the talk away from the subject. However, when she had gone I became very morbid. Then suddenly I remembered that my friend had mentioned the ninety-first psalm and the help it had been to her. Also, I remembered that a friend had given me a Bible lately which I had intended for my bookshelf but had kept securely locked up in my music cabinet. I fairly flew and locked all the doors of the house; and, getting out the Bible, I found the ninety-first psalm and read it. I had never read the Bible, and the psalm seemed very soothing and comforting. I read it again and again; then I locked the Bible up, as I did not want any one to see me reading it, because I thought all who did so were hypocrites and frauds. Each day I read this psalm over and over, and each time I seemed strengthened and uplifted; and finally I became very humble and willing that God should care for me—this new, tender, loving, strengthening God I had found in the psalm. I began to desire to read more, and by cautious inquiry found that Scientists read also the twenty-third psalm a great deal. I fairly ate everything up that I knew Christian Scientists read, and always found it uplifting and helpful.

Christian Science treatment was begun for my boy; and during these treatments I was asked to read each day for twenty minutes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. This book I borrowed from a neighbor. She was also taking treatments, but knew no more than I about Christian Science. The boy improved, but we were unable financially to continue the treatment. I, however, got a copy of Science and Health and continued reading. Soon a lady invited me to go to the Christian Science church with her. I did so, and have never stopped going through these thirteen years; and I have been changed into a different woman. Though this great trouble stayed in our home ten years I was able to remain a happy, normal, useful woman—did civic and public work, maintained a cheerful home for the child and a cheery countenance among my friends. These were dark testing times; but God was always there to show me the way I was to go. Then came the task of proving that God is our Mother and Father, when finally my only material comfort—my boy—was sent to an objectionable school. I redoubled my Science reading. He returned in three months sick; but when he recovered he was allowed to remain at home.

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