I have often been impressed with the marvelous results...

Nettie Atchinson Jones

I have often been impressed with the marvelous results which come from the application to human problems of even a slight knowledge of Christian Science. In June, 1905, it was my privilege to witness a case of instantaneous healing. I was very much surprised; for I had known little of Christian Science, and had supposed that only nervous or imaginary diseases could be healed by it. My first thought was that there must be something good in this religion to produce such results, and instantly there came to me the Bible verse, "By their fruits ye shall know them."

I was filled with desire to know how this healing had been accomplished, so began to question my neighbor, whose healing I had seen. She answered all my questions, and offered to read to me from Science and Health—for at that time I was unable to read, on account of serious trouble with my eyes, from which I had suffered for over twenty-five years. I drank in this wonderful truth about God and His perfect creation as a thirsty plant absorbs water. It satisfied me completely, as the problem of evil, and the thought that God permitted it, had troubled me for many years.

I had no thought that my eyes would be benefited by the study of Christian Science, because I had tried for so many years, without avail, to obtain help for them. Good oculists had treated me for long periods, and I had undergone two operations, only to be told at last that there was no help for me; that all I could do was to take care of my general health and protect my eyes in every possible way. About a week after I began to inquire into Christian Science, I was obliged to take a little boat trip. I went unwillingly, because the reflected light on the water caused such pain, but it seemed my duty to go; so, with my eyes closed behind colored glasses, and even then suffering intensely, I was trying to make the best of the situation. All at once the thought came to apply what I had learned about Christian Science; and there on the boat, I began to think the matter over. I thought about God and His perfect creation, and as I continued to think along this line, I was filled with a great sense of shame as I remembered how often I had said that my eyes would not bear the light. I began to realize that the eye which was made for the light could bear the light, because all that God has made is perfect and eternal.

Suddenly I realized that the pain had stopped. I experienced a sense of surprise and an unspeakable joy. I removed the colored glasses and did not put them on again that day, but looked right out upon the water without any inconvenience. The next day my eyes were in a bad state of pain and inflammation, and I was very fearful of the result of my exposure of them. When the neighbor who had read Science and Health to me came in, I said to her with quite a feeling of anger—for I felt that she had been instrumental in my discomfort—that I would never do such a foolish thing again. I have always been thankful that she answered me as she did. She said, "You have not held the thoughts to-day that you did yesterday, now have you?" I saw at once that it was thought which had determined the condition of my eyes.

I straightway began to "right about face," and for three weeks I prayed without ceasing. In spite of almost constant pain and weakness in my eyes, I still declared God, good, to be infinite and His creation perfect. It was about four months before I was able to read, because of fear. Whenever I attempted to do so, I would invariably remember the prognostications of the oculists. I kept reading a little every day, however, and the fear was finally overcome. Not only has the healing been permanent, but my vision is frequently commented upon by my acquaintances, as I read and do fine crochet work for seven or eight hours a day. I seldom retire before midnight, and the evening is usually given up to work of this kind.

I would like to mention an incident which occurred about the same time and shows again the effectiveness of the application of even a slight knowledge of Truth. Across the street from us there was work being done with horses, and a great deal of cruelty was shown in overloading and then whipping them. Nearly all the neighbors made complaints to the police and the Humane Society, but still this cruelty went on. One morning I awoke very early with a great sense of unhappiness that I could not account for. Upon analyzing my feelings, I found it was dread of witnessing this treatment of the horses. I thought the matter all over with a feeling of almost desperation at my helplessness. Then the thought came that God is an ever present help in trouble. I arose and dressed, although it was not yet light, and sat down to work out this problem by the help of Christian Science. I knew that all of God's ideas are under divine protection, and that man as His image and likeness reflects wisdom, justice, love. I worked in this way for some time, affirming the truth until I felt that the work was done. When the men came to work that morning, they brought an extra team of horses, and every load that was drawn in was met by this team and easily handled by four horses, where it had been nearly impossible with two. The work continued for three weeks, and in that time I heard only one blow struck.

During the past twelve years we have had many healings in our family, but the greatest blessing that has come to us is the knowledge that God is good; that He neither knows, creates, nor allows evil; and that, as our Leader says (Science and Health, p. 183), "the supposed laws which result in weariness and disease are not His laws, for the legitimate and only possible action of Truth is the production of harmony."

Mrs. Nettie Atchinson Jones, Detroit, Mich.

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Testimony of Healing

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

May 25, 1918

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