I am very grateful for this opportunity of acknowledging...
I am very grateful for this opportunity of acknowledging even a small part of my indebtedness to Christian Science.
Until 1928 I had suffered for many years from a gastric ulcer, as well as from what not less than two score of doctors had diagnosed as a very serious disease of the heart. In 1927 the doctors came to the conclusion that owing to the condition of my heart, an otherwise necessary abdominal operation was inadvisable. They held out scant hope of my living much longer and prescribed a very attenuated diet and regular enemas containing a drug then procurable only in Germany.
In 1928 I was led to take up the study of Christian Science. I then began earnestly to study for the purpose of helping one very dear to me. The practitioner who was working for her asked me to read with her daily the Lesson-Sermon from the Christian Science Quarterly. From that time my own health began to mend, and after a few months I awoke to the fact that I no longer needed the prescribed medical treatment, although I had not thought of my study in connection with my own health. I was soon enjoying normal physical activities.
The statement of our beloved Leader on page 492 of the textbook, "For right reasoning there should be but one fact before the thought, namely, spiritual existence," resulted, after earnest endeavor to understand it, in revolutionizing my way of thinking and so in transforming my whole life. Some of the effects of the practical application of this rule were improved health, greater harmony in our home, simpler and more sincere friendships, liberation from the false appetites of smoking and social drinking, more harmonious contacts with the general public in the course of my day's work, and more satisfaction from doing my duties.
This foretaste of heavenly joy continued for about three years. Then error seemed rampant on every side. Our erstwhile happy home became an abode of discord. A dear one seemed again as one possessed and, in my official occupation, due promotion seemed quite unjustly withheld. Then Science and Health became indeed my dearest friend on earth. On page 29 thereof it is written: "Christian experience teaches faith in the right and disbelief in the wrong. It bids us work the more earnestly in times of persecution." During this period my duties took me to another district, where I met only one other student of Christian Science. The nearest practitioner was eighty-four miles away. Suddenly I was overtaken with a severe hemorrhage. A doctor who was sent for said that nothing could be done to stanch the issue of blood, which was, he pronounced, from the almost forgotten gastric ulcer. The doctor deemed it necessary to let everyone concerned, including my immediate superior, know that he could hold out no hope for my recovery. He advised my removal to the hospital. Upon his assurance that I would not be subjected to any sort of medical treatment, I consented. I told him I intended to rely entirely on Christian Science. The hemorrhage continued for thirteen hours and then ceased. During that time I never let go of the truth that God is the All-in-all of being, and is infinite Life, my life; that I and my Father, infinite Love, are one; and that there exists, in reality, no opposite. The following day the doctor still held out no hope of my recovery. However, five days after entering the hospital I resumed my ordinary duties.
After two and a quarter years, the fuller unfoldment of divine Love lifted us out of all these trials into a happy sphere, where we can with joy and in peace give our attention to our heavenly Father's business. I have also been healed of the necessity of using glasses, to which I had been in bondage for thirty years. Can mere words ever express our debt of love to Christian Science, to Mrs. Eddy, and to the Christy Exemplar of the true relationship of God and man made in His image and likeness?—Harry M. Meade, Claremont, Cape Province, South Africa.
I wish to corroborate the foregoing testimony of my husband, which affords proof that God is man's life. It was the hemorrhage that so frightened me that I sent for a doctor. At the time I was, in belief, suffering from a severe attack of mental depression; at times I seemed insane. I had no desire to live. This condition resulted from the loss of our baby and the doctors' verdicts regarding my husband's health. A woman who was a Christian Scientist came to see me on two occasions. Each time she left me somewhat uplifted. Then she went to reside in another town in Rhodesia, over one hundred miles away. Later my husband, in his anxiety about my condition, wrote and asked if she would take me into her home to help me. She lovingly consented, and during my month's stay with her the glorious truth came to me that God was the source of the love which she showered upon me, and that therefore He must care for me. This was the beginning of a beautiful healing.
However, when I returned home I did not study Science, but I enjoyed reading the Christian Science Sentinel. I had more healings and witnessed others as the result of applying the little understanding of Science I gained, and was zealous in interesting others in the truth which was making me so happy. But when my trials came I was unprepared to meet them. About this time my husband had his wonderful healing. But even that did awaken me. I then left home and tried materia medica. I proved the powerlessness of material means to help me and the fact that matter could not destroy my life, for the belief of suicide hardly left me at all. I had much help from loving practitioners. My husband persevered in holding to the truth of being.
On page 74 of Science and Health the beloved author states: "When here or hereafter the belief of life in matter is extinct, the error which has held the belief dissolves with the belief, and never returns to the old condition." The mesmerism yielded, and this was my glorious experience. Then self-condemnation taunted me. I turned to my Bible and it opened at Hebrews 6 and I was much comforted by verses 1 and 10. Oh, the joy of realizing that our heavenly Father knew nothing about the past save what was good, and that in reality I had always been loving!
I am deeply grateful to Christian Science for my wonderful healing.—(Mrs.) Mary Violet Meade.
