Testimony of Healing February 1, 1936 Issue

Twenty years ago I turned to Christian Science for a...

Bessie Eloise Rayford

Twenty years ago I turned to Christian Science for a physical healing. Several physicians in this city, and a noted specialist in San Francisco where I had gone in search of relief from a climatic standpoint, had said that every functional organ in my body was diseased. Job reminds us that the thing he feared most came upon him, and so it proved in my experience. I had always feared inherited tuberculosis, and finally this disease manifested itself on my body in the form of lung infection.

After being treated in materia medica for more than two years with no relief, I consented to attend a Christian Science church service with a relative who had recently been healed and was sure that it could heal me. But having practiced in this city for more than twelve years as a graduate materia medica nurse and having received my preliminary education in an orthodox missionary school, I did not feel that I could accept Christian Science, although I had a high respect for what it had done for this loved one. Finally after a severe attack I decided to go West where I would be free to employ all the material aid I desired without interference. Therefore as soon as I was able to travel I made this trip.

For the first few weeks on the coast I began to improve, but then quickly thereafter the ravages of the disease set in with such force that it appeared that I should pass on there among strangers. Then it was that I turned to Christian Science with all honesty and sincerity, and by the aid of a loving and patient practitioner I was able to return to Chicago within two months. I was treated here for almost three years before I was entirely free. During this time I became very familiar with the writings of our revered Leader, Mary Baker Eddy. As I look back on those years, I realize that the prolonged healing was occasioned by my clinging to former educated beliefs, but when I awakened to accept the kingdom of heaven "as a little child" the healing was accomplished. I am grateful to say that it has remained permanent, and I now rarely have a cold. There is much reason for gratitude for this healing, because out of a family of nine sisters and brothers, a mother and seven of them passed on because of tuberculosis.

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