Soon after the introduction of Christian Science into...

Martha J. Fonda with contributions from Jesse L. Fonda, R. Bruce Needham

Soon after the introduction of Christian Science into Illinois I learned of its teachings through one of Mrs. Eddy's faithful pupils. I saw its spiritual basis and working, its revelation of divine power, and accepted it as the truth of the kingdom. Afterward I visited a practitioner in Chicago and was healed in one treatment of so-called nervous prostration, but took more treatment because of fear.

I went to my sister's home walking as on air, and astonished them all with the change that had taken place. At that time I had what Christian Scientists sometimes speak of as "chemicalization," which took the form of catarrh, and my sister had a new remedy, a snuff, which she wished me to use. Moved by her kindness, and following an old habit, I took a pinch; but before a great while my newly awakened spiritual sense showed me what I had done, and I felt much ashamed that I could not trust God rather than a bit of snuff. That was, however, the last material remedy taken.

During that summer the Congregational Association met in a suburb of the city, where my husband was then preaching in a church of that denomination. I had no policy or theory, but I had seen a great light and wanted every one else to see it too, so in my zeal I uttered truth without wisdom; but I was blessed, and others were also. I had, however, to come down from the mountain and work up, instead of building tabernacles and staying there. Mrs. Eddy says, "Spirit, God, gathers unformed thoughts into their proper channels" (Science and Health, p. 506), and our periodicals are one of these channels.

I would like to relate an experience which I had recently in regard to dealing with the sense of human personality. During my earlier life I had been surrounded by strong personalities, both intellectually and morally, but since coming into Christian Science I had met many who were not very advanced in their scientific experience. Much of their converse related to personalities, human frailties, what they had done in the past and what would be done in the future. Then it came to me to turn aside this stream of personal reference by substituting God's spiritual idea in the place of personal sense and to see the perfect divine idea rather than the defective mortal concept. This proved very profitable spiritually. It came to me as a great light and helped me in my struggles with my own personality. It quite annihilated this offensive sense of personality, and helped me to drop off past experiences and to cease entertaining curiosity for the future, while striving to know that the "eternal now" of the divine life is the only abiding place for us.

The emancipation which Christian Science brings came to me when our country was unfolding and maturing the idea of emancipation which the immortal Lincoln had spoken. Following close in the wake of that great movement came Christian Science, and "the voice of the herald of this new crusade sounded the keynote of universal freedom" (Science and Health, p. 226). In this truth we find the larger sense of freedom.—Martha J. Fonda, Oak Park, Ill.

I can verify the above testimony, but it is only an infinitesimal part of over twenty years' experience, the greatest part of which is the unfoldment of the powers of the spiritual man instead of the healing of any so-called serious mortal ailment. On page 486 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy says, "Earth's preparatory school must be improved to the utmost." In it are laid lines which lead us on throughout eternity.—Jesse L. Fonda.

I greatly desire to express my gratitude to God for the healing truth taught in Christian Science, which changed my life from almost complete hopelessness to one of health and a growing appreciation of God's love for man. While I was in an institution for the care of epileptics,—having suffered from epilepsy for some twenty-six years,—a friend asked me to read the Christian Science text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy. So I read aloud to him every evening after our duties for the day were over, and as a result gradually awoke to find that I was healed; that from the time I started to read Science and Health I had been free from these attacks. This reading was continued for two years or more, at which time I left the institution.

Fear of a return of the attacks came over me a few times afterward, but it was overcome by striving to hold fast to the thought of God's love and omnipotence. About the time I began to read Science and Health I gave up taking medicine, as there had been indications of a complete loss of intelligence, said to be a result of the strong medicine given in such cases and used by me for about two years. It is now over twelve years since this demonstration of the power of divine Love was made for me, and my healing has been permanent. During this time I have also been healed of blood-poisoning, incipient deafness, and other evils. I am beginning to appreciate somewhat the love and labor of our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, in giving this wonderful and practical interpretation of the Scriptures to mankind, bringing the Christ, Truth, nearer and clearer to our understanding.

R. Bruce Needham, Brooklyn, N. Y.

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Testimony of Healing

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