Testimony of Healing April 1, 1939 Issue

When I first began to study Christian Science, many...

Dorothy Rushworth

When I first began to study Christian Science, many years ago, I had been suffering for nineteen months from sleeplessness. I had been troubled with this condition for a period of half a year following a time of close study for an examination; and the beginning of the second period coincided with my taking up a post in a school, and caused much depression. I ceased this work at the termination of the school year, but after some time at home I had only partially recovered, although I had the help successively of two doctors. Then I went to relatives for a change. It had been suggested that distraction might be good for me, but after attendance at a concert, on one occasion, I was awake all night. Considerable debility accompanied this condition, and not feeling at all ready to return to my professional work, I again sought medical advice.

It was at this point that I met a student of Christian Science, of whom I inquired whether Christian Science heals. The inquiry was made in a skeptical frame of mind, but "man's extremity is God's opportunity," and I went the next day to make further inquiries of a practitioner. She lent me the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy, which I read assiduously. This continuous reading, according to previous experience, would have made my eyes ache; but I saw that, if what the textbook said was true, there would be no bad effect; and certainly in a short time my eyes felt free after much use, instead of tired The insomnia, however, had not yielded aftger some weeks of study, though I had also had treatment. The practitioner then recommended that if I did not fall asleep that night I should think of the spiritual interpretation of the Lord's Prayer, as given in Science and Health (pp. 16, 17). Having memorized this, I was ready to do as she said. The spiritual interpretation of "Our Father which art in heaven" is, "Our Father-Mother God, all-harmonious." The thought came to me that if God is harmonious and God is All, there is nothing anywhere except harmony. I really felt this, and the next thing I knew, I was waking in the morning. This happy change was maintained, and eventually I resumed teaching, sleeping excellently at night during a difficult first term.

I am grateful for an increase in the understanding that Love is substance. As I have approached people, this has helped me to a greater recognition of mutual interest, and made me realize that I have experiences to tell and appreciation to express that may interest and gladden others. There has been a lessening of the fear of criticism of my opinions. I am not nervous, as I once was, when using modern means of transportation; and I look forward to growing to the full understanding that "perfect love casteth out fear," and to demonstrating for the benefit of others, as well as myself, that "the divine understanding reigns, is all, and there is no other consciousness" (ibid., p. 536). I am indeed thankful that there has been revealed to us, through Mrs. Eddy, the rule of Christian healing practised so wonderfully by Christ Jesus.—(Mrs.) Dorothy Rushworth, Solihull, Warwickshire, England.

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