Perhaps many will be encouraged...

Vaught Wootton

Perhaps many will be encouraged to read this testimony from one who has passed her ninetieth year. I have much reason to be grateful to God for Christian Science and its teaching that He is infinite Mind, Life, Truth, and Love, and that man is God's perfect idea.

About forty years ago, before taking up the study of this wonderful religion, I was in a state of great shock and grief. One night I had been awakened from sleep to be informed that my husband, away on a fishing trip at a lake, had drowned when his boat capsized during a storm. My sorrow seemed to obscure my normal sense of reasoning, and I feared I was losing my mind.

I was a member of an orthodox church, and I earnestly prayed to God for help, as I had been taught to do, but without avail. Often the thought of Christian Science came to me, for I had observed some of its healing effects. But it seemed to me it would be wrong to turn away from my own church to this "new" religion. However, the urge to do this continued; so I prayed for light and guidance regarding a decision.

After some months I decided to read the textbook, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy. At the Christian Science Reading Room where I went to buy the book, the librarian advised me to keep on reading it even if I did not understand all of it. She also urged me to attend the Christian Science church services, I followed her advice.

All one afternoon and evening I read Science and Health, but did not seem to understand anything I read. The next day, while using a sharp instrument, I severely injured my hand, completely severing the side of my thumb and a part of the nail. After bandaging the wound I sat down and read the textbook for some time and again that night before retiring.

The next morning, while I was washing a window, the bandage slipped off, and I saw that my hand was healed. There was no evidence of the wound, except that the skin seemed smoother and whiter than the rest of my hand.

After that the sense of grief and separation from my husband ceased. Other troubles, including periodic violent headaches, also disappeared, and there has been no return of them.

During the following summer, while taking care of rosebushes which had been my husband's hobby, a very helpful unfoldment came to me. I thought of how the perfect rose starts from a tiny, hard, green bud, and then, with proper care, each petal unfolds until there is the beautiful, full bloom.

It came to me that Christian Science could unfold to me in a similar manner and that I would be able to understand it. And so it came about, and I was blessed. I became happy and active and enjoyed good health and ample supply for my needs.

Eventually I became a member of a Church of Christ, Scientist, where I served in several capacities, including those of librarian, treasurer, and Second Reader. I also joined The Mother Church and had the blessed privilege of class instruction.

I am still in good health and am able to care for my apartment and to attend church services regularly.

I shall ever be grateful to God for our dear Leader, Mrs. Eddy, who followed in the way shown by our great Master, Christ Jesus, and thus was enabled to give us Christian Science.—(Mrs.) Alice Vaught Wootton, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

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Testimony of Healing

My gratitude for Christian Science...

March 2, 1963

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