Testimony of Healing November 12, 1932 Issue

It is now thirteen years since I first turned to Christian Science,...

Nora Johnston Stewart

It is now thirteen years since I first turned to Christian Science, and I am most grateful for all it has done for me. I was led to this Science mainly through curiosity. Circumstances in my home had been rather discordant, and there was illness in the house. During a drive with a Christian Scientist I was led to tell her of some of my home difficulties, and we had a very helpful talk. On my return to town I bought a copy of the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. From the moment I first looked into it I knew for certain that it contained the truth I wanted. At first I understood very little, but gradually the truth began to unfold as I earnestly searched its pages. The study of Christian Science has changed my life and my character. I know I am a better and happier woman, less impatient, less intolerant, more loving, and more ready to see man as God's image and likeness.

I have had wonderful protection in accidents and during a storm at sea. I have had many physical healings, one of which was the healing of a sudden and violent attack of influenza. I knew the symptoms only too well, for before I had known of Christian Science I had had very bad attacks of the malady and it had taken months for me to recover with kind medical aid and loving nursing. This time I turned immediately to divine Love for healing, as I believed in no other help. Feeling too ill to work for myself, I called a practitioner and asked for help; I felt better almost immediately, and by the next morning, when the practitioner called to see me, I was well. This was very wonderful to me.

I should like to tell of the first healing I had without the help of a practitioner. The struggle was a stiff one, but "one with God is a majority." Cigarette smoking had a terrible hold on me. I had smoked for over twenty years, and believed it to be necessary to quiet my nerves, so that I could sleep at night. I had tried to break myself of the habit, but had always failed. The more I studied the teachings of Christian Science the more I saw that the habit must be given up, but I dreaded the fight. One day I declared emphatically, "I shall never smoke another cigarette." And I never have. For about a week I slept scarcely a wink. All I could do was to read the textbook, which I did all night; at times I hardly knew what I was reading; but I held on, for I knew that the truth in that book would heal me if I persevered. The wonderful thing to me was that in spite of lack of sleep I could go about the same as usual all day, and no one in the house knew of the battle that was being waged. I thought much of Paul's words to the Romans, "Know ye not, that to whom ye yeild yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" I had read again and again all that Mrs. Eddy writes about tobacco and its use, and knew that its use was not according to Christian Science. At last one night the victory was triumphantly won. I was reading on page 228 of Science and Health: "The enslavement of man is not legitimate. It will cease when man enters into his heritage of freedom, his God-given dominion over the material senses. Mortals will some day assert their freedom in the name of Almighty God." That was enough. I asserted the fact and declared that I was free and knew it, and I thanked Mrs. Eddy for bringing the light to me. I switched off my light, and went to sleep like a child. I was healed. Never since that night have I felt the slightest desire to smoke.

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