Testimony of Healing March 9, 1929 Issue

Gratitude for blessings received through the knowledge...

Dougal MacDougall

Gratitude for blessings received through the knowledge of Christian Science during the last sixteen years, and for the help and encouragement derived from the testimonies of other beneficiaries, as reported in the Journal and Sentinel, has made me wish to tell the following in connection with my first experience with Christian Science. In the year 1896 I was stationed on a lonely rock lighthouse off the west coast of Scotland, and in our mail bag one day came the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. The book was sent by someone in Syracuse, New York, who evidently did not know the correct address, as it was directed to "Lightkeepers, — Lighthouse, off the Coast of England." This faulty address did not keep the messenger of Truth from being duly delivered to us; but alas, we were not ready for its message. Our rigid Calvinism soon made short work of the book, and it was put away in the lighthouse library for a more "convenient season," and there probably it still remains. Often I wonder if any of our successors in that lighthouse made better use of that treasure in their library; or did they, like us in our ignorance, fail to recognize the Comforter in their midst? Years passed and brought many changes in my religious convictions.

One day I received a Sentinel from a friend in England. I at once recognized that it contained the explanation of the truth for which I was seeking, and remembered with much regret how unkind had been my reception of the textbook at the lighthouse. The despised textbook and other writings by Mrs. Eddy were soon sent for, and my family and I have had much cause since then for thankfulness for blessings received through Christian Science. Personally I have experienced instantaneous healing, through the application of the truth as taught in Christian Science, from a severe cough which had troubled me periodically summer and winter for years. I have had no return of the cough. In my family many beautiful healings have taken place with the kindly help of a loving practitioner.

A year or so ago I passed through a trying experience which I allowed to undermine my health physically and mentally, and without the blessed knowledge of Christian Science to sleep at night would have been impossible. My favorite text was from the twenty-sixth chapter of Isaiah, third and fourth verses, and these I kept repeating until sleep would come. At this period I had a responsible duty to perform which demanded courage and good judgment. As I felt physically and mentally unfit for the task, I wrote asking the practitioner, who had so often helped us, to work for me. As this lady was away from home when my letter arrived, I did not get a reply for a few days. On the day that I was to carry out my duties I felt most unfit and full of fear, but half an hour before taking command, a telegram came from the practitioner with the message: "Isaiah 26, verses 3 and 4. Textbook 471, lines 17-19." Here was my favorite text again! I took it as God's message to me. Instantly I lost all fear, and went forward with courage, carrying out my task successfully. I learned later from the practitioner that she at first intended to give me another text, but that "it would not go;" that she knew God would tell her the message, and that was what He gave her. She did not know that it was my favorite text, which had been of such help to me in my trouble. Words are inadequate to express all I feel and owe to Christian Science. I have never attended a Christian Science service or lecture, but the articles and editorials in the Journal and Sentinel are so inspiring and helpful that I wish to express here my gratitude and thankfulness to the Editors and writers who give the Christian Science field such treasures of thought and divine inspiration. I am grateful for membership in The Mother Church, and most thankful for the loving-kindness and faithful service given to me and to my family by the dear practitioner.—Dougal MacDougall, Kinlochleven, Argyll, Scotland.

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