Testimony of Healing September 15, 1928 Issue

Christian Science came into my life in answer to prayer

Jessie K. Victor

Christian Science came into my life in answer to prayer. On page 1 of the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, we read: "Thoughts unspoken are not unknown to the divine Mind. Desire is prayer." During a year of sorrow and sadness caused by the doctor's verdict that one I loved was doomed because of an "incurable" disease, I learned to know that "man's extremity is God's opportunity." Through that experience I was led to Christian Science. After seeking the advice of expert medical aid and realizing there was no help to be gained there, we decided to spend the summer in the beautiful lake region of northern Wisconsin to see what sunshine and fresh air would do. Shortly after reaching this summer resort I read in a Chicago paper of many cures being performed at a certain church in Canada. My first impulse was to go there, but I declared mentally, God is in these Wisconsin woods just the same as in Canada. That prayer was answered.

A little later a visitor recommended Christian Science and advised sending for the textbook. We did so, but error seemed to rule my consciousness and make me think the word "Mind" found on nearly every page referred to human mind and its power. Not believing in the healing power of Christian Science, I laid the book away. Some weeks later a Christian Scientist from Evanston, Illinois, came to our camp, and from him I learned what Christian Science really is—the Comforter promised by Christ Jesus to lead us "into all truth." Upon our return to Chicago in October we sought the help of a practitioner and attended a Christian Science church. January, 1912, found me alone with a great sense of loss. During the few months just past I had learned enough of Christian Science to know it reveals the truth, the Word of God; and that it can and does heal. It was the application of the truth that seemed to fail. A great physical collapse then came upon me. I awoke one night with such a sense of sinking that it seemed as if I too were passing on. I called to a friend in the next room; and when she saw my condition she said, "I will get some alcohol and rub you." Instantly I declared that God was stronger than alcohol. I told her to leave me; that I was going to pray. In Science and Health (p. 16) we read, "Only as we rise above all material sensuousness and sin, can we reach the heaven-born aspiration and spiritual consciousness, which is indicated in the Lord's Prayerand which instantaneously heals the sick." My vitality was so low that I could not remember the Lord's Prayer; all I could recall of it was the first word, "Our." With difficulty I asked my friend to call a practitioner. When the telephone message was sent I knew help was coming. Again I tried to repeat the Lord's Prayer. Slowly but surely the words came—"Our Father which art in heaven;" and by that time I was healed. Strength and power came to my body, clear thought to my consciousness. I called to my friend in joyful tone, "I am all right now."

That was the beginning of my upward journey from sense to Soul. Within a year I had the privilege of class instruction, branch church membership, and membership in The Mother Church. I am most grateful to the loving practitioner through whose help I progressed so rapidly; grateful to Christ Jesus, the Way-shower; grateful to our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, who through her purity and spiritual understanding became the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. Most grateful am I to God, the Giver of all good, who has promised, "They shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them." To every race and nation, to every creed and faith, must come this healing truth.

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