Testimony of Healing June 6, 1925 Issue

I have never taken advantage of the opportunity which...

Benjamin F. Bartow with contributions from Josephine M. Bartow

I have never taken advantage of the opportunity which the Christian Science periodicals offer to express, in so far as words can express, my gratitude for the many benefits which my wife and I have received, and are receiving daily, through the study and application of the teachings of Christian Science, but wish to do so at this time.

Over twelve years ago, while living in a small town, I was asked by a business acquaintance, who knew something of my problem, to investigate Christian Science, and was urged to have my wife, who had been doctoring and drugging constantly since our marriage, visit his wife, who he said was a Christian Scientist. We had come to the point where we were ready to try anything which offered promise of relief from suffering; and accordingly we did call on his wife, with the result that the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, was lent to us for one week. Later, my wife called on the only listed practitioner in the town, not for treatment, but to ask a few questions, which were willingly and most lovingly answered. Copies of the current Christian Science literature were given us, and we were invited to attend the Sunday services and the Wednesday evening testimony meetings, where, we were assured, we would receive much good. We did attend the services very soon after that, and I am glad to say have missed very few from that time to this.

My wife's improvement began at once, and has been going on steadily since. I had no thought of physical healing for myself when I started reading the textbook with my wife; I only wanted to help her if I could in any way. In fact, I did not know that I had much to be healed of. I was strong and healthy, except for a few minor troubles for which I was taking material remedies, and had no desire to be healed of any of my bad habits. I did not think of them as being particularly bad, and would have resented any one's telling me that I should strive to overcome them. I was a constant smoker, indulging in my cigars even before breakfast. I drank moderately, and occasionally to excess; gambled whenever I had anything to gamble with, several times using my last cent to pay a gambling debt when we were in need of both food and clothing. I was also quite profane outside the home.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Testimony of Healing

I can scarcely find words to express my gratitude to God...