Heart Disease, Dropsy, and Liver Complaint

D. E. Fritz

In February of the year 1888, there came a climax in my life, where I found myself facing dissolution,—a dissolving of the elements, both physical and financial.

The former so overruled the latter that the only thought was to go on, leaving the "beggarly elements" behind.

This seemed the better way, for the thought was strong that my family was better provided for in case of my death, than in life. Of course this was manifested in many symptoms, heart disease being the name given it by the physicians who were consulted. Our old family physician and dear friend of many years, doing everything he could to keep me here, after two thorough examinations, diagnosed my case as heart disease, dropsy, and liver complaint; and knowing these to be hereditary, he urged me again and again to apply for a pension in order that my wife might the more promptly receive it after my demise. He being pension examiner at that time, his advice was significant. I became more and more reduced, and could no longer take even the medicine, and lost all hope when he acknowledged the medicines were doing no good. This was the situation in June, 1888, when my daughter wrote to a Christian Scientist of Cincinnati, a relative, and friend of many years, that if she wished to see father alive she must come immediately. She came to us direct from the Christian Science Convention, held in Chicago that year. It was her first call to "come over into Macedonia and help" after that great feast; and we know now that we were direct recipients of the blessings of that demonstration of Love.

Having known her as an invalid through many weary years of suffering, and having no knowledge of the manner of her healing, which occurred the year previous, we were amazed to see her looking the picture of health, and could not doubt its reality. Yet we did not know that she could heal others. One day during her week's stay with us, she spent the day with other friends in the place, and I did not feel so well as I had. Upon her return, feeling better, I remarked to my wife, "I feel better, I think, when Minnie is here." She grasped at it as a drowning man at a straw. "Do you think so? I wonder if she could do anything for you? I believe I will ask her;" which she thereupon did. She gave us assurance of the power of metaphysical treatment to heal all manner of disease, and patiently answered our inquiries and quieted our doubts and fears.

I had one present treatment, and the next day she returned to her home. All the rest was by absent treatment. In one week the dropsical affection was gone; I could lie down at night without the cough that had racked me so long. I could eat; in fact began a schedule of five meals per day, which I seemed to need, as my weight had gone to a few pounds over a hundred. I was healed and the entire family, wife, daughter, son-in-law, and little grandson, were soon studying Christian Science.

From this nucleus, in the year 1890, a class of fourteen, seven men and seven women, was taught by our friend; and from that class has grown First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Lima.

Our growth was gradual, both individually and collectively. Old associations were tenacious and the church of our first choice was gradually outgrown, but not without something of a struggle with it and with ourselves. But every forward step took us so far beyond what we had seen ahead, that we have never looked back with longing eyes, but shall press onward.

Our faith in Christian Science has never wavered. We have proved its Science too often and have demonstrated that it is the Christianity of Christ, by healing sickness and destroying the claims of sin for others as well as ourselves. There has been no blessing like Christian Science ever given to men since Christ Jesus was manifested in the flesh.—D. E. Fritz, Lima, O.

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