Before I knew of the teachings of Christian Science my...

Edith M. Prettejohn with contributions from Arthur Robert Prettejohn

Before I knew of the teachings of Christian Science my life seemed to consist of unsatisfied longings, disappointed hopes, discontentment, and ill health. An internal complaint which seemed to rob me of any hope of peace brought me to the point where I could see that life, as I then understood it, was indeed "vanity and vexation of spirit." In the dark hours of one night of pain I felt as never before the need of a God I could understand. At that moment I ceased praying for recovery and from the bottom of my heart went the cry: "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." A few weeks later I was told of Christian Science, and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" was lent to me. Before I had got through that wonderful book I found myself entirely free from the discordant physical condition. Since that time—five and a half years ago—I have been perfectly well and strong and have come to see that physical healing is the smallest part of the redemptive work of Christian Science. The clearer knowledge of God and His changeless creation is the greatest joy of all. It is saving me from the false sense of self and is teaching me to know that man, as the reflection of God, reflects only what God knows.

The constant unfoldment to one's thought of the right idea of everything,—enabling one tosee the falsity of the so-called material universe and to perceive the spiritual and perfect universe, the only creation there is,—is surely what Paul referred to when he wrote, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." That Christian Science has made this possible, thousands of liberated and grateful people the world over have proved.

(Mrs.) Edith M. Prettejohn, Birmingham, Eng.

I should like to add my testimony to that of my wife, for the benefits which come into one's life with even a small knowledge of the vast subject of Christian Science are very far-reaching.

It is five and a half years since I first read "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, after a great need was met in the healing of my wife. I had some feeling of prejudice against what I imagined Christian Science to be, but decided to read the textbook to see what had brought about so great a change. Whilst reading, a wound in the elbow which had been troublesome for about twelve months entirely disappeared. With these unmistakable proofs of the truth of Christian Science, we began the study which is indeed food and drink to me, and soon the Bible, which had always been obscure, began to stand out in a new light. The ninety-first psalm, understood in the light of Christian Science, enabled me entirely to overcome fear when flying, and upon two occasions I was delivered in a most wonderful way from accidents in the air.

One step in the journey from matter to Spirit for which I am particularly thankful is the unfolding to thought that, as Mrs. Eddy says in Science and Health (p. 514), "the individuality created by God is not carnivorous, as witness the millennial estate pictured by Isaiah:—

The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb,
And the leopard shall lie down with the kid;
And the calf and the young lion, and the fatling together;
And a little child shall lead them."

The abstinence from flesh food has meant much to me in the line of spiritual progress. The unreality of matter was clearly demonstrated a few weeks ago when, whilst reading the report of a Christian Science lecture in the Monitor, an enlarged toe joint, which had been very painful as far back as I can remember, completely, disappeared, leaving the foot perfectly normal. It would be an utter impossibility to say what Christian Science has been to me in business matters. Step by step I have been led in the right direction when things have seemed uncertain. It has meant continued progress. True are the words contained in one of our hymns (Hymnal, No. 155):—

Thou hast the gift from God—
Dominion over all.

Arthur Robert Prettejohn.

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Testimony of Healing

Words cannot express my gratitude for Christian Science

December 18, 1920

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