I was made almost an invalid for nearly twenty-five...

Charlie S. Gates

I was made almost an invalid for nearly twenty-five years by being vaccinated against smallpox. It terminated in typhoid malaria, leaving me a nervous wreck. I lived under doctors' instructions, and tried almost everything, with little relief. I had chronic stomach trouble, likewise constipation. I finally stopped taking medicine, and tried osteopathy for a number of years. Only temporary relief followed. One day the doctor examined my throat and told me I must have my tonsils taken out or I would find myself in a decline, and it would be hard to bring me back. This frightened me so that I was almost frantic.

At that time I wrote to my sister in Kansas City, who was interested in Christian Science. She spoke to a practitioner, who told her to tell me I did not have to lose my tonsils. I made up my mind to try Christian Science. I knew it would not do me any harm, if it did not do me any good. I had them send me the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. I was at that time a member of the Baptist church, but am sorry to say I did not have a Bible; however, I soon purchased one. I was instantaneously healed of constipation, for which I had tried every known material means without avail. This healing opened my eyes, although all I could say was that whereas once I was afflicted, now I was healed. That was over five years ago, and I have never needed help for that trouble since.

I continued to read, trying to keep away from the doctors. As time went on, my reading began to slacken; and for about one year I tried to mix doctors' advice and Christian Science. I began to slip back; and by the fall I was very ill. At that time I was occasionally taking treatments of a practitioner in Kansas City, not knowing we had one in our own city. One day I wrote to this practitioner asking her for a treatment, at the same time telling her I was occasionally taking osteopathic treatments. In a few days I received a letter saying substantially that she thought when I came into Christian Science I was through with doctors; adding that I knew they could do me no good, but that still I hung on to them. I was disturbed for an instant, but soon took another view of the matter.

A few days elapsed; and then one day while I was purchasing some groceries, the Christian Scientist who ran the store said to me, "If you need any help, we have a good practitioner in the city." I called her up and stated my case. She said if I thought I was ready for it, she would take the case, but I would have to leave out the doctors. I saw the time had come for me to take my stand, either for material methods or for Christian Science; so I chose the latter, and in a few days called her up and told her to work for me. She treated me about eight weeks, and I gradually began to take an upward trend. I read continually, not only Science and Health, but the little pamphlets that were published by The Christian Science Publishing Society. I gained in weight from about one hundred and forty to one hundred and seventy-five pounds. As a result of more than five years in the study and application of Christian Science I can eat whatever is set before me without any bad effects. My tonsils became all right; and my general health was restored. Extreme nervousness has been eliminated to a great extent. During the treatments, and for a long time afterwards, I would take Science and Health to bed with me, and sometimes I would read for one or two hours before I could go to sleep. I can now go to bed and sleep as one should.

Since God is our healer, we must try to know that with Him all things are possible. I hope this testimony will be the means of bringing some one to the realization that there is always a way out when we seek divine Love, the Giver of every good and perfect gift, to whom all things are possible.—Charlie S. Gates, Herington, Kansas.

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Testimony of Healing

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