Words could never express my gratitude for Christian Science,...

Eleanor Birmingham Hartwell

Words could never express my gratitude for Christian Science, but they can at least give a hint of it. This wonderful "Comforter" came to me at a time when I was most unhappy; when there seemed to be so much wrong and evil in the world, and no opportunity for right things. I had a very strong faith in God, but could not seem to find much of His creation in the world, for I was looking to matter for it. I am grateful that I never opposed Christian Science. My first knowledge of it, as anything but a name, came through a lecture. I thought it very beautiful, but felt that I was not good enough for it to apply to me. However, when it was presented to me a little more specifically a few months later, I accepted it promptly and thoroughly. It has met my every need; it has shown me that there is a right and permanent solution for every problem of wrong in the world; it has given me the understanding to help my brother-man; it has given me a home, companionship, and happiness; and it has brought me physical healing.

The first healing I had was of very weak eyes. I had worn glasses for reading and sewing for several years, and dark glasses for protection from the glare of light, sometimes even in the house. I disliked these dark glasses so much that I had practically discarded them, but had been keeping out of bright light, wearing a broad-brimmed hat, frequently shutting my eyes and being led along when the sun was bright, and having to put up with watery eyes most of the time. The friend who brought Christian Science to me suggested that we read the Lesson-Sermon in the Christian Science Quarterly out on the rocks. The glare from the sun on the river was strong. On my protesting that I could not possibly use my eyes to read, the Scientist very lovingly asked me if I thought God had made any condition that could keep me from learning to know about Him. Immediately I realized that God had given me sight, and when it came to my turn to read I did so, and by the time we had finished the Lesson my eyes were perfectly clear and dry. That was in 1915, and I have not had any difficulty since. In fact, in watching the total eclipse of the sun a few years ago, I looked right at it for some time without any smoked glass and without the slightest feeling of weakness in my eyes, although others around me complained of difficulty, even when using smoked glass.

My second healing was of car sickness. About a week after taking up the study of Christian Science I had to take an all-day trip on a train, and I started out with the definite expectation of car sickness. I had been given a Christian Science Sentinel to take with me, and started at once to read it. One thought in the Sentinel stood out above everything else—God is Love. When I began to feel sick I realized that Love did not make any such condition, and I have never had any trouble of that kind since. That healing opened my thought quite completely, and I never again even considered taking medicine of any kind.

I have had so many healings of all kinds of difficulties, physical, financial, mental, and moral, that I could not possibly list them all; but one in particular stands out. One day I was taken desperately ill and became unconscious. My husband said that there did not seem to be a single sign of life about me, and he knew there was only one thing to do, and that was to trust me entirely to our Father's care, to realize that I was His child and that He would care for me in every way. Although there were other Scientists in the house he did not call for help, but placed his entire confidence in the ever present God who is Life. When I regained consciousness I told him I had felt as if I were passing through "the valley of the shadow of death," but that I had been confident that Life would win the victory. That was in the middle of the day, and the healing was so complete that I did my usual housework in the evening. It was a time when the Scriptures were indeed fulfilled, "Perfect love casteth out fear," and, "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."

I thank God that He reigns; that He sent Christ Jesus to show us the way; that He inspired Mary Baker Eddy to show us how to follow in this way; and that He daily opens our eyes and ears to His law of good.—

(Mrs.) Eleanor Birmingham Hartwell, Sound Beach, Connecticut.

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Testimony of Healing

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