It is with a heart overflowing...

Albert J. Slater

It is with a heart overflowing with loving gratitude that I submit this testimony of the first fruits of my harvesting in Christian Science. With the Psalmist I can say (Ps. 30:2), "O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me."

In 1937 I collapsed with a serious heart attack. After giving me medical treatment, the doctor stated that I would never be able to work again. Since I had a family, a wife and three children, to support, this verdict brought on a nervous breakdown. I was also suffering from digestive trouble and an inflamed condition of the prostate gland. The beliefs of old age set in, and I found it difficult even to read.

The impulse to commit suicide during this time was most acute; but my faith in God was my staff and enabled me to prove that "man's extremity is God's opportunity." In 1951 a neighbor whom I had often tried to encourage during his trials came to visit me. He gave me some papers which he said a friend had just given him, and he added that he had no time for them. I glanced at them, thanked him, and put them on the bed.

As soon as he left the room, I took up one of the papers, which was a religious article clipped from The Home Forum page of The Christian Science Monitor and read, "Healing is natural; expect it." These words sent a thrill of hope through me. I had not heard of Christian Science before, but after reading this article, I had a great desire to read the textbook it mentioned, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy.

I was guided to find in a local newspaper a notice about the Reading Room of a Church of Christ, Scientist, and the very next afternoon I went to the address given. The librarian listened very patiently to my outpouring of human woes and then lent me a copy of Science and Health, as I had hoped she would do. Feeling that at long last the panacea for all my troubles was in my possession, I returned to my home and eagerly opened the textbook. The very first words (Pref., p vii), "To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, to-day is big with blessings," thrilled me with joy.

Although even short periods of reading had previously been followed by bad effects, I sat and read for approximately two hours, completely oblivious of time. As the light of Truth poured into my receptive thought, all darkness vanished. One link after another of the chain of bondage that had held me captive for so many years fell away, and, glory be to God, with this very first reading, the nervousness, the digestive trouble, and the glandular condition were healed.

All fear left me, driven out by the understanding of divine Love that is imparted by the spiritual revelation that Mrs. Eddy has given to us. I did not even need glasses again after this experience.

I grew in strength daily. My heart became strong again, and in a very short time I was transformed mentally, morally, and physically into a useful member of society, to the great astonishment of my wife and family. My clothes were too small for me, since my weight had increased forty pounds.

All this happened six years ago. At forty I was an old man; at sixty I am feeling younger every day. I work joyously from nine o'clock in the morning to eight at night, enjoying the sweet peace of mind which Christian Science has brought to me.

For this wonderful healing, I thank God with all my heart. Through Mrs. Eddy's revelation I have proved the promise of our dear Master, Christ Jesus (John 8:32), "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." I am very grateful for the Christian Science literature, for our Bible Lessons in the Christian Science Quarterly, for the lectures, and for the privilege of being a member of a branch church.—Albert J. Slater, San Isidro, Argentina.

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