Testimony of Healing April 27, 1981 Issue

In the fall of 1972 I took a walk one day to acquaint myself with...

CHING-EN CHANG

In the fall of 1972 I took a walk one day to acquaint myself with the section of the United States city where I was then living. (At the time, I was a visiting professor at one of the city's universities.) On the way back to my apartment I stopped at a Christian Science Reading Room to look at the display in the window—an open copy of Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy. I read a bit and then went inside. Before I left, the Reading Room librarian offered me two copies of pamphlets on Christian Science, which I took. But I guess I didn't think much more about them because when I got home, I just put them in one corner of my suitcase.

Some time after that—and for no apparent reason—I began to get very weak. A friend persuaded me to see a doctor which I did, but this did not seem to help; I did not feel any better. When I moved to New York City, a short time later, the situation worsened. I had lost a lot of weight by then and felt so weak that I was unable to climb the stairs from one floor to the next. I went to see a doctor again, and this time the examination showed that my blood pressure was high and my blood sugar was low. The doctor urged me to have a complete set of tests in a hospital. However, I could not afford to pay for such an examination at that time, so I just stayed indoors and spent much time in bed. Because I could not sleep, I became worried and nervous. It was during this period of frustration and depression that I began to read the pamphlets I'd stuffed away in my suitcase. The spiritual truths I glimpsed while reading were a great light to me and gave my heart peace. In a few minutes I was able to go to sleep. Later, when I woke up, I was filled with joy and hope.

About one month later I moved to Boston to do some research work. During this time I attended a Wednesday testimony meeting at a local branch Church of Christ, Scientist. Afterward, I was introduced to two women—one of whom knew Chinese and translated for me as I asked them questions about Christian Science. The following week, because I had so many questions, the three of us met for dinner. We talked about the seven synonyms for God that are given on page 465 of Science and Health. For the first time I felt I understood something of the relationship that exists between God and man. I was comforted in knowing that God is always present and that He takes care of us all the time. From this point on I made steady progress. And for the rest of the time I was in the United States, I had a wonderful feeling of joy.

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