For years I had been satisfied with the theory, held by...

Margaret I. Eakins

For years I had been satisfied with the theory, held by certain leading psychologists, that Christian Science was merely a form of healing brought about by self-mesmerism, but when I saw the regenerating influence of a healing on the life of a friend, I realized that this must be a religion with power, and I was ready to read the textbook, Science and Health by Mrs, Eddy, without prejudice.

The beautiful reasonableness of Mrs. Eddy's explanations regarding prayer deeply impressed me, and I eagerly read the book through in a fortnight.

During that time I experienced a condition common since childhood, of severe sick headache, which I had been accustomed to relieve by means of a tablet and a period of fasting. This afforded an opportunity to apply what I had learned of the new-found teaching, so I threw myself on my bed, closed my eyes, and began earnestly to repeat the Lord's Prayer with its spiritual interpretation (Science and Health, pp. 16, 17). Stopping at the words, "Enable us to know," I realized that they expressed my sincere desire, and in a few moments I arose with the buoyant sense of a complete healing. About a year later it seemed necessary for me to go with someone to a restaurant while I was suffering with a similar attack of headache and nausea. By holding steadfastly to the statement in the twenty-third Psalm, "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies," and recognizing my enemies in this case to be the false arguments of fatigue, I was able to carry on, and take a long streetcar trip, returning late at night with a constantly increasing sense of freshness and enjoyment. This healing has been of great value to me.

Although gratefully acknowledging the healings received, I had sometimes wondered if I should be able to rely on Christian Science in extremity against the argument that medical science might help if Christian Science appeared to fail. I had an opportunity to take my stand when a condition of infection did not yield to absent treatment, and finally all the symptoms of blood poisoning [septic infection] were present, accompanied by intense pain. Although almost in despair from fear and suffering, I hastily left my home in order to be near the practitioner who was working on the case. The alarming symptoms and my great fear soon yielded to the loving consciousness of the healing truth, and I shall always be grateful for that testing experience.

With the aid of a practitioner, a case of skin poisoning, which at first spread rapidly, was healed, leaving no scars or aftereffects. To contrast this healing with the weeks of suffering and disfigurement which I experienced many years before, when under medical treatment for ivy poisoning, is to realize, in a small degree, the great gift of healing which Christian Science brings to humanity.

On looking back over the years, I find myself unable to enumerate the many blessings which I owe to Christian Science. Glasses worn since childhood were discarded in the early years of my study. Yearly attacks of influenza and prolonged colds have been healed and have slipped out of thought. A tendency toward sciatica, which on two occasions was so painful as to necessitate a few days in bed, has been completely healed. Problems in human relationship, the sense of loneliness when dear ones have passed from sight, have been beautifully healed.

How thankful we all should be to our God-inspired Leader for her wisdom in providing for class instruction, which has been of inestimable value to me! Each Association day is a period of spiritual refreshment, and I gratefully testify now to the healing, at a recent Association meeting, of a discordant physical condition which had troubled me for several years.

While humbly conscious of the need for greater consecration in order to live the life of a true Christian Scientist, I know that my attitude toward God and my fellow man has been transformed, and my prayer is that, in the words of Science and Health (p. 496), my "fruits will prove what the understanding of God brings to man."—(Miss) Margaret I. Eakins, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada.

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