There has long been a great desire in my heart to express...

Joyce Burley Baxter

There has long been a great desire in my heart to express gratitude for Christian Science and all it has brought into my life since it first came to my attention five and a half years ago. At that time I seemed weighed down with care and anxiety, for my husband was suffering from a so-called incurable organic disease of long standing, which might prove fatal at any moment. There was a constant dread of the worst happening, and if he was a few minutes later than usual in returning home, I was filled with fear. Only those who have lived under a similar cloud can realize my great joy when after studying for about a month the Christian Science text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, I found myself freed from this bondage of fear, which at times had seemed unbearable. As more understanding of God as Love came to me, I began to expect only good, and the ninety-first psalm helped me very much.

The first Christian Science service I attended will never be forgotten. As we sang these words of the first hymn, "Bright skies will soon be o'er me," I remember thinking, Oh, if this could only be true! Since then the promise has been proved true, for not once during the years we have been studying Christian Science has my husband had a return of the old trouble, and today instead of being a semiinvalid he is enjoying the best of health. Words cannot express the great difference this has made in our home. I had always believed that all things were possible to God, and this greatly helped me after learning of Christian Science, but there was a lack of understanding of man's relationship to Him. Christian Science has since imparted this understanding through its spiritual interpretation of the Bible; it has also helped me to overcome all manner of discords and given me many proofs of the power of divine Love to heal.

Frequent attacks of throat trouble, which under medical treatment meant a week in bed, have been overcome; also sudden and long attacks of bleeding at the nose, though their disappearance had not been noticed until some testimonies given at a Wednesday service telling of the demonstration of Truth over these errors brought to mind how they had once troubled me. In March, 1913, I had to take to my bed, and was too ill to realize the truth for myself. Although my desire was for Christian Science treatment, to satisfy the demand of relatives who were caring for me a doctor was called in, who diagnosed the case as an abnormal condition of the kidneys and other internal troubles. An operation was considered necessary as soon as my strength was sufficient, but in the mean time a surgical belt was to be fitted to me. I was told never to get it out of position, as this was most important, and was not allowed to get up without it.

Of course I denied all this, clearly recognizing it as an illusion of mortal mind, and tried to realize instead the presence of God, which fills all space, but at the same time it seemed to me wise to ask the help of a practitioner. A month's treatment brought no improvement, and so for seven months I tried to work out the problem myself. No relief resulted, however, until there came the realization that I was not doing justice either to Christian Science or to myself. I had no faith in materia medica and felt that Christian Science alone could cure me, so in November, 1913, the help of another practitioner was asked. The treatment covered in all three weeks, but the whole condition gave way in one treatment. The belt mentioned above was discarded, and all the duties entailed in the management of a home have since been performed without the slightest sense of discom fort or fatigue, though I had been told that it would always be necessary to "take things easy."

Words cannot express my deep gratitude for the following further proof of God's love. One morning in December, 1914, our little boy awoke seemingly very ill. As he had not retained food for two days and I was not able to overcome the trouble, probably owing to the sense of fear and human affection, the help of a practitioner was sought. The vomiting kept up two days after treatment began, although on the second day the child seemed much brighter and showed a desire to move about. On the third day he retained his food, and in a week was quite well again; in fact, he has seemed better than ever before, reflecting perfect harmony. I feel daily grateful that this better understanding of God's protecting power has come into my life in time to spare him much suffering. Christian Science has never failed us when it has been faithfully applied.

I am deeply grateful for all these physical blessings, but more especially for the spiritual awakening which comes with each demonstration. Added to my thankfulness to God and gratitude to Mrs. Eddy, my loving thoughts go out to those who so patiently pointed the way to this great truth which does indeed make free. My great desire is that I may have more of that Mind in me which was in Christ Jesus.

Mrs. Joyce Burley Baxter, Bristol, England.

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Testimony of Healing

I wish to express my gratitude for the many blessings...

July 22, 1916

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