My last testimony appeared in The Christian Science Journal of February 1946. The healings mentioned at that time have been permanent. As I look back on them, the illnesses seem like dreams, which they surely were. These experiences were but steppingstones to a higher understanding of the truths taught in Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy. Many happy and joyous years have passed since these early healings, and Christian Science has been the only physician in our home.

Mrs. Eddy says in Science and Health (p. 417): "To the Christian Science healer, sickness is a dream from which the patient needs to be awakened. Disease should not appear real to the physician, since it is demonstrable that the way to cure the patient is to make disease unreal to him. To do this, the physician must understand the unreality of disease in Science." This quotation relates to my own experiences and has been the basis of many healings.

At one time I had a physical disorder that manifested itself in immobility. I was unable to even turn myself over in bed, and I seemed to be completely helpless. At this time my husband was serving as First Reader in a nearby branch church, and I felt he should be free of taking care of my needs. A Christian Science practitioner was called, and she came to my aid immediately and began prayerful treatment.

Within a few days I was taken by ambulance to the Christian Science Benevolent Association at Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, for nursing care. There were many problems connected with this illness to be overcome, but in seven weeks' time I was walking freely and able to return home in our own car. This whole experience has been a source of inspiration to me, and the healing was complete. Not long after my healing I was elected First Reader of my branch church and was able to serve for three years without being absent. The love and patient understanding shown me by the nurses and supervisors while I was at the Benevolent Association have never been forgotten and stand out among the many blessings that the study of Christian Science has brought into my life.

At one time I witnessed an instantaneous healing of what appeared to be ptomaine poisoning. My husband became quite ill. He was in great distress and went to bed at once. His appearance was alarming. We both decided to trust Science and I called a practitioner to take up work. She calmly asked me to have the patient call her back in ten minutes. At the time this seemed to be a ridiculous request, but I went back to my husband and told him what she had said. He rolled his eyes in disbelief, but as I stood by him the color started to come back into his face. In ten minutes he was at the phone and he was completely healed. This healing was a great experience and brought us much inspiration.

A second healing he had was of a slight stroke. This happened over ten years ago. There was loss of memory and his speech was affected. He had been greatly upset by an incident in our branch church. I called a practitioner, and she came the following morning after this occurred and sat with him for a couple of hours, talking to him and reading to him. At the end of this time my husband arose and resumed his normal activities. I might add that after this incident he was very active in our branch church and in our home. It was as though the illness had never happened, and he never referred to it.

I myself have had healings of quinsy, rheumatism, migraine headaches, and hay fever.

About four years ago I fell down a long flight of stairs in our home. For a few minutes it was difficult for me to breathe, but as I vigorously proclaimed the truths of spiritual reality, one divine cause and its effect, knowing that God's man never falls, I was able to get to a chair. Soon with help I was able to crawl back upstairs and get into bed. It seemed very difficult for me to stand up straight without severe pain, but prayerful treatment was taken up by the same faithful practitioner who had helped me before. Two days after this occurred and while I was declaring that God had made man upright, something very wonderful took place in my body. It was as though hands were making an adjustment and I was able to stand straight without pain. This mental surgery was the beginning of a complete recovery.

This testimony would not be complete without giving thanks for all the love extended to me by new friends as well as old when new adjustments had to be made in a new location, church and home. Though miles separate me from my only relatives, many fine friends have made the Bible verse in Psalms (68:6) come true to me, "God setteth the solitary in families."

Our Leader tells us in Science and Health (p. 225), "Love is the liberator." Love is surely liberating me from insecurity, loneliness, and separation.

I am truly grateful for the healing work that is going on daily all over the world, and for the Christian Science periodicals, including the Lesson-Sermons in the Christian Science Quarterly. Especially helpful to me was class instruction with a dedicated teacher. My daily prayer is that I may help others as I have been helped.

(Mrs.) Gladys G. Fernald
Conway, New Hampshire