In 1889, while living in Glidden, Ia., the first message of...

Esther McCreath

In 1889, while living in Glidden, Ia., the first message of this new-old truth came to me through a lady from Nebraska who was visiting our town, and who had only a short time before been healed of serious ailments through Christian Science. I at once became interested enough to purchase a copy of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, and although I felt from the first that it revealed Truth, I seemed slow to grasp the spiritual meaning.

In 1894 we moved to the South and located in Mississippi, where it seemed that Christian Science had never been heard of. Four years afterward I was attacked by a serious ailment which I seemed unable to meet with the little understanding I had of Christian Science, and as there was no Scientist near, a physician was called who pronounced the trouble organic heart disease, and told my family that I must not be allowed at any time to lift a heavy weight, or exert myself in any way. I was then taking The Christian Science Journal, and I selected from the directory the name of a practitioner in St. Louis, and wrote to her, asking for help. One week of absent treatment cured me of the heart disease, and I have ever since been able to do all my housework, including cooking, milking, churning, etc.

About three years ago I was rejoiced to find that a family of Christian Scientists had moved to West Point, and I began with them the study of the Bible Lessons. Up to this time I had never seen a copy of The Christian Science Quarterly. I then began to see more clearly what Christian Science really is. I find it a constant source of comfort and help in my home, where I am the only Christian Scientist.

I would like to mention here another demonstration of the healing power of Truth. A finger of my left hand had been sprained causing the joint to become so enlarged that it was impossible to remove the plain gold ring I was wearing on that finger. It had been in this condition for several months, when it became inflamed and swollen, and at times very painful, the edges of the ring being embedded in the flesh. My husband, fearing blood poison, insisted that I have the ring cut from the finger. I said, "No, this must be the work of Truth." Some of my skeptical friends and neighbors, who saw the finger, thought me very foolish not to have the ring cut off, and mortal mind made many laws as to what the result would be if I did not have this done. One lady, seeing my determination to have no other than Christian Science treatment, said, "Well, if your Christian Science makes that ring come off without cutting it, I will be a believer in your doctrine." This occurred shortly after I found my new Christian Scientist friend in West Point, and as I seemed unable to overcome the fear in myself and others, I called on this friend for help, asking her if she thought the finger could be cured without first removing the ring. She lovingly assured me that it could, and bade me have no fear. The pain and inflammation soon subsided, and for several days I simply forgot all about the finger, until one day I happened to notice that it was its normal size, and my next thought was to remove the ring, which I did with very little effort.

My greatest desire is to show my gratitude to God, and to our beloved Leader, by living a life of love and self-abnegation, and causing those around me to feel and know that Christian Science is the truth.

Mrs. Esther McCreath, West Point, Miss.

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