Having been reared by deeply...

Herbert Reginald Harris

Having been reared by deeply religious parents to be an active worker in an orthodox Protestant church, I was much disturbed when my young wife became interested in Christian Science. I had been led to believe it deprived its followers of future salvation and was the opposite of what its name implied. But five years of its study did not seem to lessen my wife's Christianity, and I began to wonder if my views might not be incorrect.

One Tuesday evening in March, nearly a quarter of a century ago, I returned home from business with a violent attack of barbers' itch, which had developed during the day. On my way home a doctor had told me that it would take at least six weeks to heal. My wife lovingly invited me to attend a Christian Science lecture that evening, to which I, for the first time, consented. The speaker's words were so logical, sincere, and full of reverent understanding of God, and he was so positive that the healings in Christian Science were the "signs following" promised by Jesus, that I decided to put Science to the test and learn, if possible, if it was of God. I had no doubt of the power of medicine to heal me, but felt a strong desire to know just how Christian Science healed.

The next morning I asked a friend, who was a Christian Scientist, to recommend a good practitioner. Smilingly he gave me the classified directory of the city telephone book and told me to ask God to direct me. Praying earnestly, I selected a name, noted the address, and went at once to the office.

Instead of meeting the man I sought I met a woman in the waiting room who said that the man would be away for two weeks. When I turned to leave, she stopped me with the words: "I see you need help at once. Won't you come in?" Her quiet confidence and spirituality led me to acquiesce.

The next day I was much worse, and on going to her office for treatment was advised to leave business and go to my country home away from constant contact with sympathizers. By Saturday morning I was seriously ill and my wife went to the city to visit the practitioner, arriving at noon. Shortly thereafter the intense suffering suddenly ceased, and with it came a deep sense of peace and exaltation. I knew that I had come into the presence of the Christ, and that Christian Science is indeed of God.

Another week was spent in reading the textbook. "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, and rejoicing in the new-found truth, without looking at or discussing the error. Having an important conference with several men from the East on the following Wednesday, I tried to shave on Tuesday, only to have my face bleed freely. My wife said: "This is not tomorrow. Wait patiently on the Lord. 'As thy days, so shall thy strength be.'" The next morning I rose early, and as I shaved the scales fell from my face, and underneath was a smooth, clean skin. As with Naaman of old my flesh had come again "like unto the flesh of a little child." At the conference I was asked if I had been taking some kind of beauty treatment to have such a wonderful complexion.

In the years since then Christian Science has been my only physician, and it has never failed me in times of accident and sickness. Our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, says in our greatly loved textbook (p. 167), "Only through radical reliance on Truth can scientific healing power be realized," and we know from experience that this is true. Grateful as I am for the many physical healings, I rejoice more in the fuller understanding of the Bible and of the teachings and works of Jesus, and in the opportunity to serve the Cause through the activities of the Christian Science church and to help mankind.—Herbert Reginald Harris. Morgan Hill, California.

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