For about four years before turning to Christian Science,...

Mona E. Dow

For about four years before turning to Christian Science, I was an invalid in a wheel chair or in bed. I could not stand on my feet, as standing caused severe pain in the organs of the body, and the physicians said I should keep quiet and not walk. No two physicians agreed in diagnosis of the trouble. Some said I should have an operation; others said it would do no good. For this reason, and as a last resort in material means, I was taken to Rochester, Minnesota, to specialists. There I was told that nothing could be done for me but that I should try to be as cheerful as I could. It seemed impossible for me to be cheerful at all, as I was in pain and suffering almost constantly.

Just before I was taken to Rochester a kind friend, who knew of my condition, came to see me and told me about Christian Science. She asked me if I would read a book she had in her hand, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. As she handed me the book a great sense of love and hope came to my consciousness, but I did not read it then. I left it at home when I went away, but all the time I was gone, and when I was told I would never be the same again, the thought of the book kept coming to me with so much love and hope, although I knew nothing of what it contained at that time.

I was brought back home in the wheel chair in the same condition in which I had been taken away. It was then that I began to read Science and Health, and I read faithfully every day. Some days were very dark, as it seemed hard for me to understand what I read. At times I became very much discouraged and seemed unable to see the light; but I pressed on, and while I was reading I received a wonderful healing. Instead of being sorrowful and depressed, I became happy and began to love all those around me. Also, I learned that the days I read most I was able to sleep better at night. This was a proof to me that I was receiving help from Christian Science. I then asked for Christian Science treatment.

The healing seemed slow and the struggle hard. Each morning I looked to the body to see if there were any change for the better, only to be disappointed and depressed. Finally, the thought came to me: Why look to the body for healing? You cannot find God in matter. And then my thought changed. I began to look away from matter to Mind, and became interested in learning more about God. As I did this, thoughts of fear, worry, jealousy, and resentment gave way to unselfishness, kindness, love, thoughtfulness for others, and peace. From that time on I began to improve, and in a few months there was no further need of the wheel chair.

At the end of three years I accepted a position which required my standing all day. There has been no return of the old trouble. Not only did Christian Science heal me physically and mentally, but it lifted me out of the most wretched home conditions, healed me of the fear of lack and inefficiency, and enabled me to go out into the world and be self-supporting. It proved to me that God is man's supply. This healing did not leave me where it found me, for my thinking had completely changed. I had learned that it is not what others think or do that affects us, but what we are thinking ourselves, and if we accept only the thoughts which come to us from God, refusing to entertain any others, we shall be free.

I have never ceased being grateful for Christian Science, for it has given me the right idea of God and of man made in His image and likeness, and has shown me how to make the separation between God's thoughts and other so-called thoughts. It is proving to me daily that Christian Science does heal, and give happiness, peace, and joy.

I am very grateful to God, the Giver of all good; to Christ Jesus, our blessed Master; to Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science; and to every one who has helped me along the way.

(Mrs.) Mona E. Dow, Cleveland Heights, Ohio.

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Testimony of Healing

I did not come into Christian Science for physical healing...

August 14, 1926

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