I submit this testimony in heartfelt gratitude for the wonderful...

Walter Stender with contributions from Frieda Stender

I submit this testimony in heartfelt gratitude for the wonderful healings I have had in Christian Science. I would like to express special gratitude for Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy. This book so wonderfully elucidates the guiding rules for our path through life presented in the Holy Scriptures; in particular, it throws light on the way our Lord and Saviour, Christ Jesus, trod so that we might follow him.

Before Christian Science came again to me, I was a very sick man. I often suffered from heart trouble, as well as afflictions of the hip and of the prostate gland. After a kidney stone operation, I was in a very poor condition. Doctors could not help me. Then the words spoken to me when I was young by my father, a convinced Christian Scientist, came to mind: "You must not be afraid." Although I did not grasp their significance right away, these words stayed with me. So I turned to a Christian Science practitioner, whose support and kindly rebukes awakened me to my spiritual selfhood as a child of God. I am very grateful.

We read in the Bible (I John 4: 16): "And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him."

In Science and Health Mrs. Eddy comments on this and the following verse 18 (p. 410): "Every trial of our faith in God makes us stronger. The more difficult seems the material condition to be overcome by Spirit, the stronger should be our faith and the purer our love. The Apostle John says: 'There is no fear in Love, but perfect Love casteth out fear.... He that feareth is not made perfect in Love.' Here is a definite and inspired proclamation of Christian Science."

Through a change of heart I returned to the right path. I realized how wrong my previous life-style and way of thinking had been. Through reverence for the glory of our God, I became more humble and grateful, and therefore a better person—someone called by God to something higher in order to prove himself worthy. So, one symptom after another of this illness disappeared, and the health God bestows upon us returned to me.

Today I am happy to be a member of The Mother Church and of a group of Christian Scientists. At the same time, I would like to express my gratitude for Christian Science class instruction. This teaching has enabled me to appreciate better the position of First Reader, with which I was entrusted. "Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever" (Ps. 106:1).

Walter Stender
Marne, Federal Republic of Germany

I am happy to verify my husband's testimony with a grateful heart, and to give thanks for the many blessings we have had in other respects through Christian Science.

(Mrs.) Frieda Stender

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