Testimony of Healing May 8, 1989 Issue

When I was about seven, a neighbor lent my father Science and Health...

Virginia Halliday

When I was about seven, a neighbor lent my father Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy. He read it through hurriedly, then told her that there were inconsistencies. I have always been grateful for the courage of this woman in answering my father, a professor. She recommended that he use his summer vacation to reread the book thoughtfully and without prejudice. He took her advice and was healed of three ailments while reading the book. He came to the conclusion that there are no inconsistencies in Christian Science when it is understood. Thereafter he had other healings and helped others find healing; meanwhile, I was enrolled in a Christian Science Sunday School.

I continued going to Sunday School, but in my late teens I became obsessed with the idea of committing suicide. I knew enough of the Bible and Science and Health to know that death is not a solution to things. This was also a most unreasonable thought, as I had a lovely family and home, a good job, and many friends.

In this negative frame of mind I visited a Christian Science practitioner. She Quoted to me from the Manual of The Mother Church by the Leader of Christian Science, Mrs. Eddy (Art. VIII, Sect. 6): "It shall be the duty of every member of this Church to defend himself daily against aggressive mental suggestion, and not be made to forget nor to neglect his duty to God, to his Leader, and to mankind." Then the practitioner she explained something of the way to protect our thinking and of how to deny suggestions that would persuade us into believing there is a power apart from God. I have since had many proofs of this protection in making decisions, in being led to do the right thing at the right time, in finding lost articles, and in warding off physical danger and sickness. And heeding this advice, I had no more desire to commit suicide.

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