Testimony of Healing November 12, 1938 Issue

Christian Science was presented to me over five years...

Howard Noble Chase

Christian Science was presented to me over five years ago by one who has since become a dear friend. I was not immediately receptive, although within a few weeks I began to read the authorized literature, especially the Lesson-Sermons from the Christian Science Quarterly.

During that period I was in a medical sanatorium, largely confined to bed, which seemed necessary at the time, since I was suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis. After some months, my condition was sufficiently improved to justify my leaving the sanatorium. Doctors and nurses there had been helpful within the limits of their theories; however, I can now understand something of the significance of several statements on the subject in Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, notably the following (p. 423): "Remember that the unexpressed belief oftentimes affects a sensitive patient more strongly than the expressed thought;" and (p. 198), "A patient's belief is more or less moulded and formed by his doctor's belief in the case, even though the doctor says nothing to support his theory."

I had treatments from two Christian Science practitioners, but did not continue in either instance, for I was not ready to relinquish a belief in the validity of sense testimony. I was living with relatives whose attitude toward Christian Science was tolerant. I did some chores and repair jobs, but did them timidly, dividing my allegiance between the confidence gained through reading a little Christian Science literature and the fears which attend medical theories.

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