Our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, writes...

Edward Townley

Our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, writes in the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health (p. 390), "It is our ignorance of God, the divine Principle, which produces apparent discord, and the right understanding of Him restores harmony." This statement has certainly been proved true in my experience during the thirty-one years since I first learned of Christian Science.

Three physicians had in turn expressed great kindness to me and had prescribed medicines, pills, and lotions, but they had brought no improvement in my health. In an endeavor to obtain all possible benefit from sea air, I spent a short holiday on an island reputed as having a health-giving atmosphere. This too brought no relief but rather the reverse. Severe pains in the head, back, and stomach, together with great weakness and a sense of debility, made it impossible to pursue business activity.

At this point new acquaintances who were earnest students of Christian Science sent me some of the pamphlets printed by The Christian Science Publishing Society, but after reading them I returned them through my mother, saying, "This stuff is making me worse."

How grateful I am to those friends who, instead of accepting the situation at its face value, sent me the textbook. Somewhat annoyed, yet roused, I recall vividly looking at the title, then opening the book at the section entitled "Key to the Scriptures" which interested me, for I had been a Sunday School pupil and had sung in the choir of an orthodox church for some years. I read for several hours without stopping. I was completely held by what I read, and I felt quite clearly that here was something wonderful.

The same week I was invited to visit these Christian Science friends. Although still in a weakened condition, I accepted their invitation, and I listened to their explanations of this Science. Within a week I was able to resume business activity, relying wholly on divine Science. Then a practitioner took up my case and helped me for a long period as the healing progressed. Pain abated and finally ceased, and strength was restored. And, what is so wonderful in Christian Science healing, character was changed. I was morally and spiritually strengthened, and my whole experience improved.

At the very commencement of Christian Science treatment, I had thrown away the entire contents of the medicine chest. Later, supports worn inside my shoes were thrown away, and a belt to support the back was also discarded. I was healed of the need for wearing glasses, which I had used on occasion for reading and writing. The use of tobacco and alcohol ceased most beautifully and naturally as I recognized such habits to be altogether foreign to this new birth I was experiencing.

Through the help of practitioners, both my father and my mother experienced healings in Christian Science, including those of indigestion of over twenty-five years' duration, and of blood poisoning in a finger.

My appreciation of Christ Jesus and of what Mrs. Eddy did in unfolding to us his true mission is profound. For all that Christian Science has done for me, I am very grateful.

My greatest joy was to purchase, one after another, Mrs. Eddy's writings in order to learn more and more of Christian Science, admit it into consciousness, and experience more healing and greater harmony in my daily life. Conscientiously attending services in a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, and making much use of the Reading Rooms, I was led to membership in The Mother Church and in a branch church, and later I had class instruction.

Continuous active membership, with its joys and privileges, has been maintained through all these thirty-one years. It has taken the place of those activities held out to us by the world in various disguises, found at length to be baneful, unprofitable, and unhealthy. —Edward Townley, London, England.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Testimony of Healing

My first testimony was published...

March 14, 1959

Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit