About twenty-two years ago my sister, who had sought...

Marian P. Miller with contributions from Elizabeth J. Birge

About twenty-two years ago my sister, who had sought help from the medical profession for eight years without receiving any relief from a distressing physical condition, found a copy of the Christian Science Sentinel. As she read the testimonies therein the conviction came to her that these people were telling the truth, and that God could heal the sick. A few months later the desire to see a copy of Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy led her to a Christian Science Reading Room.

Acting upon the loving advice of the attendant, she went to see a practitioner, who assured her that God would heal her. As they talked, my sister thought, This is a very sweet woman and she will be greatly disappointed when she finds that I cannot be healed. She left the office, and as she was going down the stairs leading to the street, suddenly, as she expressed it, strength poured into her back and she became aware of great vitality such as she had never known before. That Christian Science had healed her became apparent to her at once, and she soon changed from a pale, emaciated person to one glowing with health, and has retained that same health to this day. I knew of this healing, and all through the years whenever I came in contact with the thought of Christian Science in reading or conversation I always felt grateful, although I knew nothing of the operation of divine Truth as taught in this Science.

Six years ago a severe claim of illness came to me, which seemed to necessitate a surgical operation. A surgeon had been engaged and hospital arrangements had been made. The day before the operation was to take place I became very restless and uneasy, and soon began to think of God. It was as though I was being urged to trust God to heal me. Several years prior to this time I had purchased a copy of Science and Health, but its contents had seemed unintelligible to me and I did not read it through. But the book was there on my table, and I now picked it up with a different feeling and found myself reading the testimony of a woman who had been healed of the same ailment with which I was afflicted. That same day I went to a Christian Science practitioner, and after I left her, peace came to my consciousness and a happy expectancy filled my thought. Two days later I went to a Reading Room to purchase a Christian Science Quarterly in obedience to the practitioner's advice. As I was returning home, suddenly I experienced the first touch of Truth I had ever known. It came as a great light, and I knew I was healed. Distinct, apart from any conception of reality that had ever entered my thought, came the positive perception that I was healed. In the same instant and by the same spiritual perception I knew that Christian Science was the truth. The glory of that moment is the most precious thing I possess, for I still possess it and guard it and build a wall of defense around it by studying and applying the teachings of Christian Science and striving to attain that Mind "which was also in Christ Jesus."

Insomnia, which had been the cause of much suffering for twenty years, disappeared with this first beautiful healing. I still had periods of being wakeful at night, but these hours were now filled with such joy and happiness that by no means could they be associated with the former times of wakefulness, which were periods of despair and terror. Sick headaches, nervousness, congestion of the muscles at the back of the neck, which caused much discomfort at all times, resentment, and self-pity have been healed, sometimes with the help of a practitioner and sometimes with my own understanding. A malady which medically is supposed to last over a period of from five to ten years was instantaneously healed. I am truly grateful for the loving and wise guidance and encouragement which I received from the practitioner.

Three years after the first healing I joined a branch church, and the next year I became a member of The Mother Church. Joy and progress have accompanied these steps, and I am very grateful for these privileges. The part that Mrs. Eddy has had in the awakening of mankind from the dream of error to the reality of Life becomes more and more clear to me, and I find my greatest happiness in my present small service in the Cause of Christian Science.

(Mrs.) Marian P. Miller, Chicago, Illinois.

I am the one referred to in my sister's testimony and my experience was just as she has stated it. I can never be too grateful that the attitude of our entire family toward this great religion is loving and kindly.—

(Mrs.) Elizabeth J. Birge, Brookline, Massachusetts.

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Testimony of Healing

I testify with great joy and gratitude to the healing power...

December 26, 1936

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