I have had many proofs of...

Dorothy J. Ross with contributions from Ida L. Ross

I have had many proofs of God's care. Mary Baker Eddy writes in Science and Health (p.22): "Work out your own salvation, is the demand of Life and Love, for to this end God worketh with you. 'Occupy till I come!' Wait for your reward, and 'be not weary in doing.' If your endeavors are beset by fearful odds, and you receive no present reward, go not back to error, nor become a sluggard in the race." I found these statements to be very helpful at a time when I needed much encouragement.

About four years ago I felt my feet and legs becoming useless, and although I fought this condition and called on a Christian Science practitioner for help, I soon found myself in a helpless condition. I was paralyzed from my hips down. I could not even wiggle my toes. As I had experienced this same condition twice before, in a much milder form, I was discouraged to find myself again fighting this same error.

Although I was confined to a wheel chair, I rejoiced that I was quite free in every other way. I decided to take advantage of this opportunity to read and study Christian Science. We subscribed for The Christian Science Monitor, The Christian Science Journal, and the Christian Science Sentinel. These, together with the Lesson Sermons from the Christian Science Quarterly and other works on Christian Science, kept me busy many hours during the day. Mother would dress me and help me into my chair early in the morning and I would stay in it until ten or eleven o'clock at night. My study kept me so busy that I did not even have to lie down at all during the day.

"When the smoke of battle clears away, you will discern the good you have done, and receive according to your deserving. Love is not hasty to deliver us from temptation, for Love means that we shall be tried and purified" (ibid.,p. 22). I was this condition for about a year a half but the smoke of battle finally cleared and I felt purified. I had built on the "rock," which Mrs. Eddy defines in part (ibid., p. 593) as "spiritual foundation; Truth."

Not once in all this time had I felt a desire for a doctor's examination. I knew that if God could not heal me no material aid could. I soon discovered that I could wiggle my toes and that strength was coming back to my legs. One evening I asked my mother to bring my cane and help me and I would walk to bed. As I stepped from my chair I thought of the healings related in the Bible, and I was glad that I had learned of the same healing Principle that Jesus had taught many years ago. From then on progress was quite rapid and I was soon walking on the streets. It was a thrill to meet people on the street and see their expressions, for they admitted that they had never expected to see me walk again. I have been free for over two years to run, jump, climb hills, and to express activity as a child of God should.

I am very grateful to the practitioners who helped and encouraged me during all this time. I am also grateful for the radio programs on Christian Science. I learned to get the lectures and services from The Mother Church over the short-wave station. These programs were very inspiring and helpful.

I am grateful to Mrs. Eddy for her unselfishness in giving to the world such a religion, and I am glad to be a member of The Mother Church. My study of Christian Science has given me a much better understanding of the Bible and a desire to study and learn more.

As Mrs. Eddy says in Science and Health (Pref., p. vii), "To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, to-day is big with blessings."—(Miss) Dorothy J. Ross, Stuttgart, Arkansas.

I wish to verify the foregoing testimony of my daughter. At no time did she show any sense of fear, for she was steadfast in her knowledge that man is the true reflection of God.

I should also like to express my gratitude for the loving help of a practitioner, and to Mrs. Eddy for her wonderful revelation, Christian Science. May we not be found wanting in the service of our Cause!—(Mrs.) Ida L. Ross.

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Testimony of Healing

On page 306 of Science and Health...

October 24, 1942

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