Testimony of Healing February 19, 1944 Issue

My first experience of Christian Science...

William Shackle

My first experience of Christian Science healing came over ten years ago. I asked my wife, who had been attending Christian Science services for some while, if she would borrow the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, for me to read. I thought at the time that I should be able to point out to her the fallacies on which I believed this Science to be based.

The Preface and the first chapter on Prayer were a revelation to me, and I read the whole book within two to three weeks. Though I did not agree with, or understand, all that I read, I saw that the truths contained therein were undoubtedly logical, and the conclusions drawn therefrom were in accordance with the premises laid down regarding God and man.

During my reading of the book I was healed of defective eyesight, for which I had been wearing glasses for some while. Today my sight is excellent, and I have had no occasion to use glasses since.

Of the many beautiful healings which I have had since that time I think the following is one of the most outstanding. It illustrates how, when we rely upon the Word and realize its truth, we can overcome every obstacle in our path. One Wednesday afternoon about four hours before a testimony meeting, I was attacked by a recurrent fever which had troubled me ever since World War I, and which usually meant several days in bed with a high temperature. At once I thought of the meeting and of letting someone know of my condition so that a substitute Reader could be appointed.

When I realized that the one approached would have no time to prepare for the meeting at such short notice, and would therefore have to give the readings I had chosen, the thought came to me, "What is your subject for tonight?" It was woven about Mrs. Eddy's statement (Science and Health, p. 494), "Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need." Immediately I found myself saying audibly: "But how can you ask someone else to read to the congregation something which you yourself do not believe? If you believed it yourself, you could take the service." No other argument was necessary, and needless to say I took my place at the meeting, which proved to be one of the most beautiful I have ever experienced, and my healing was complete.

How can one possibly express in words one's gratitude to Mrs. Eddy for her revelation of Christian Science and the opportunity afforded all who study her inspired writings to labor in His vineyard? My whole life has been changed during these ten years. Many unlovely traits of character have been eliminated, and I am profoundly grateful to God for every experience I have had since taking up the study of Christian Science.—William Shackle, Christchurch, New Zealand.

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