Testimony of Healing March 23, 1929 Issue

I did not come to Christian Science for healing, but...

Francis John Woods

I did not come to Christian Science for healing, but because I wanted a more sure foundation on which to build. I very quickly glimpsed the truth which Christian Science teaches, and it has sustained me physically, morally, and financially for nearly twenty years. About a year and a half ago I found myself in the wilderness of false belief, being tempted to believe in a power apart from God. The doctor who was called in by my family, not only for their satisfaction but also for that of the firm by whom I was employed, pronounced the trouble a chill on the liver, with subsequent jaundice, which to sense was very apparent, and which proved to be very tenacious. The doctor said that if I was being treated in Christian Science he would withdraw from the case. My wife assured him that I was not being so treated, that it was true I had a friend who came regularly to see me, but that she was not a practitioner—and so he continued. Then came the test. I told him I should not continue to take the medicine he prescribed, as I knew it could do me no good. He continued to come, however, and being the good fellow he is he never again said a word about taking medicine: he talked about anything and everything but that. All this time I was slowly getting a better color, but not sufficiently fast to please him, and he suggested second advice, saying there must be something behind to account for the very slow progress, and that probably it was gallstones, and if so an operation would be necessary. I protested that I was satisfied there was nothing of the sort, but he replied, "You may be, but I am not and I insist." I continued to know the truth about my real spiritual selfhood. The examination took place, after which a consultation was held, and it was pronounced that nothing could be found needing an operation or anything else. After this, when leaving the house, the doctor said to my son, "Your father has completely baffled me; I cannot understand his being so sanguine;" and he concluded by saying, "I suppose it is due to what he believes, and tell him from me to carry on." He afterwards repeatedly said to me: "You're a wonder; there are not many men of your age [seventy] who come out of jaundice as you have done. I shall continue to watch you." I am perfectly free and have never enjoyed better health.

How can I express the gratitude I feel to Almighty God and to our revered Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, for the glorious truth she has unfolded to the world, and to the one who so untiringly, lovingly, and encouragingly helped me all the way through to see the unreality of anything unlike God's creation, which is, ever has been, and ever must be as perfect as the divine Mind? Words fail to do this, and I desire nothing better than to serve the Cause of Truth all the days of my life, and so make all the return I can.—Francis John Woods, Weston-Super-Mare, Somersetshire, England.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Testimony of Healing

Through the application of the rules set forth in the...