Testimony of Healing July 20, 1940 Issue

It is with sincere gratitude that I recount some of the...

Charles J. Hollands with contributions from Lilian Louisa Hollands

It is with sincere gratitude that I recount some of the great blessings that Christian Science has brought into my experience. It came to me at a time when I was overwhelmed with fear and in a state of acute despair. My wife was seriously ill with a complication of diseases. My business was on the verge of bankruptcy, and I was confused, full of self-pity, and without hope. When a friend suggested that Christian Science might help my wife, I was glad to agree, for although I had no hope that it would heal her physically, I felt that it might afford her some comfort. A visit to a practitioner was arranged. My wife returned from that visit completely healed, and has remained so for over seven years.

We neither of us understood in the least what had occurred. Out of curiosity I arranged to accompany her on her next visit to the practitioner, but was determined to make it plain that I did not want to see the practitioner for myself. During the interview, however, through an explanation of the significance of the account of creation as given in the first chapter of Genesis, I was lovingly put upon the way to an understanding of Christian Science. It seemed to us both that the very gates of heaven were opened to us. I began the study of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. As a result of this first reading, I was completely healed of the enslaving habits of smoking and drinking, to which I had been in bondage for many years. Eyeglasses, which had been necessary to me for over nineteen years, were no longer needed. My whole outlook on life was completely changed. All things became new. Impatience, unkind criticism, false pride, and other unlovely traits were gradually overcome.

My business has been lifted out of the chaos into which it had seemed to be plunged. This improvement has been evident in proportion as real business as the active reflecting of God, good, has unfolded in my consciousness. I have also been privileged to witness numerous healings, among which were those of hemorrhoids, chronic dyspepsia, measles, and many other painful conditions. I am sincerely grateful for the joy and privilege of serving as Second Reader in a branch church and for membership in The Mother Church. My heart goes out in gratitude to our beloved Leader, through whose consecrated life and unselfed love, Christian Science is made available to all, thus fulfilling God's loving promise as given in the Scriptures, "To give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness."—Charles J. Hollands, Amersham, Buckinghamshire, England.

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