Testimony of Healing January 10, 1931 Issue

Christian Science came to me as the good Samaritan

Louise Gray

Christian Science came to me as the good Samaritan. Thievish elements of mortal mind—self-will, self-love, self-righteousness, self-pity—had used their weapons of fear, discouragement, disappointment, and despair, until there seemed to be nothing left to live for. Medicine, theology, law, had passed by on the other side. No ancient Pharisee could have held a more bitter prejudice against the Samaritan than I held, through ignorance, against Christian Science and its Discoverer and Founder, Mary Baker Eddy. Small wonder that nerves were shattered and heart weakened to the extent that the experience of fainting and the fear of it were fast becoming habitual, while the necessities of daily duty made the situation a serious one. Finally, it seemed as if "the last enemy" "was not far away and would be almost welcome—almost, but not quite. There was still enough desire to live and be well to incite an eager search for help. The search continued for years in every direction but the right one, until it seemed as if every means had been exhausted, and the case was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse."

When, "through the wholesome chastisements of Love" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy, p. 323), thought had become less scornful and more receptive, a friend tactfully called attention to the fact that one thing yet remained untried, and persuaded me to attend a midweek testimony meeting in The Mother Church. No experience of my life stands out more distinctly in memory than that of my first attendance at a Christian Science service. Verily the truth "lifted up" does attract with irresistible force, drawing all men unto Christ. That first attendance was followed by a continuous attendance at the services for several months, while the Word voiced in public and studied in private gradually wore away all sense of opposition and brought forth at length my full response. Many physical healings were experienced in those early days under the influence of the Word as voiced in that church, which became to me a "mother" indeed in its tender ministrations. Many other healings took place outside the edifice, and have been manifested throughout the years that have passed since that time. Deliverance from catarrh, recurrent tonsillitis, habitual constipation, nervous prostration, neuritis, insomnia, and many instances of protection from impending disaster, are among the innumerable blessings that have come to me through Christian Science during a period of over thirty years.

Chief among them all must be reckoned the victory over temptations to cherish resentment for seemingly intolerable injustice. What joy to have learned the meaning of forgiveness and the way to apply it to every case, however exasperating it may appear! "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do," prayed the Master for his enemies. In our own day, how clearly has our revered Leader, Mrs. Eddy, brought the substance of this prayer to our comprehension, that we may learn to pray as Jesus did and as she did for her persecutors, enemies, and perverters of the truth.

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