It is about fourteen years since I first heard of Christian Science

Edith Beddoe with contributions from F. D. Beddoe

It is about fourteen years since I first heard of Christian Science. I was at that time a miserable and depressed woman, partly owing to ill health and partly to the discords in my home life. I was frequently troubled with influenza, and after each attack grew more depressed. Then I heard of Christian Science. I was not at all attracted by what I heard, but on asking for the text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, just to glance at it, I quickly determined to buy a copy of my own. I did so, and from that day have never ceased to be thankful for Christian Science. There was no Christian Science service or reading-room in Birmingham in those days, and I did not know any Christian Scientist of whom to ask questions, but I read the text-book and found it calmed and comforted me, so that life did not look so dreary. Slowly but surely the healing commenced. Influenza was no longer a nightmare and I gradually forgot to be afraid of it; consequently it ceased to attack me.

About eighteen months after my first reading of Science and Health my little boy was born. Great surprise was expressed by the doctor and nurse at the natural time I had; also that the boy was so strong and healthy. During the three weeks which followed I read the text-book daily. I had suffered since childhood from pain in the right foot, and walking was always accomplished with difficulty. My father suffered from rheumatic gout and corns, and I was supposed to be like him, but soon after my little boy was born, I found myself able to walk without thinking of my foot; it was also in better shape, and whereas before it was often swollen, I could wear ordinary leather shoes and boots instead of kid ones. After I had been reading Science and Health about five years, my husband decided to study it, and that was a great joy to us both.

When my son was about four years of age, he met with an accident. I was writing a letter when I heard screams from the kitchen. I found the child in a sad state, for he had tumbled over a bucket of boiling water and was wet up to his waist. I undressed him and tried to comfort him, but he did not stop screaming, and all seemed confusion. Then I carried him in my arms and sang one of our Christian Science hymns, but he still cried, so I left him with his nurse and went upstairs, feeling that I must get away alone and pray to God. I got the text-book and read. In less than ten minutes he stopped screaming and did not cry again. I heard him calling to me, and when I went to the head of the stairs, he told me the pain was gone. I returned to my room and continued reading Science and Health for quite half an hour.

When I came down-stairs I found the boy still on the sofa, but playing with his toys. He had his dinner and was just as well as usual except for the fact that he would not walk. All the actions of the body were quite normal. His refusal to walk showed me there was still some fear in my consciousness, and so I wrote to a practitioner to come and help me. She assured me, however, that the work was done and the boy was all right. The next day he walked and the following Sunday attended as usual the Christian Science service and stood on a chair to sing the hymns. No material means of any kind were used, as it never even occurred to me to send for a doctor or use anything, except to wrap his legs in soft linen. In three weeks the linen came off like parchment. The child did not suffer in any way after he stopped crying, and no one knew what had taken place except the practitioner, the nurse, and myself.

I am very grateful for this healing in Christian Science, which has been and is a great help to me in my daily life. I have still a great deal to overcome, but know that as I am willing for God's will to be done instead of my own, I shall progress in my understanding of the truth. My great desire is to help and comfort others as I have been helped and comforted. I am sincerely grateful to our dear Leader, Mrs. Eddy, and every day I thank God for Christian Science.

Edith Beddoe, Birmingham, England.

I can confirm all that my wife has stated. I was drawn to study Christian Science because I noticed the wonderful difference it had made in her life. I have since received countless blessings,—happiness, good health, success, and harmony in my daily work. Christian Science is indeed a practical religion.—F. D. Beddoe.

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Testimony of Healing

Before Christian Science came into our family, and during...

October 21, 1916

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