It is with deep gratitude for the divine influence of...

Hannah Petherick

It is with deep gratitude for the divine influence of Christian Science in my life that I write this testimony.

I was in great need of physical healing, having suffered for twelve years from intestinal ulcers. I dieted strictly, and used two and sometimes three kinds of medicine, but the condition gradually became worse. I was in despair, because my body was not functioning normally, and doctors, specialists, and hospital treatment gave me no relief. At last, after an examination, I was told that the condition was chronic and nothing more could be done for me.

During one week two people, strangers to each other, asked me if I had ever thought of trying Christian Science. I thought at the time that this was a coincidence, but now I know that it was the "still small voice" of Truth guiding me, for I went to church and made an appointment with a practitioner. I thank God daily for that visit, because I came away with a sense of peace, joy, and illumination of thought which would be difficult to describe.

In a few days joy filled my consciousness as I began to realize that the distressing symptoms were vanishing and healing was taking place. But before the healing was complete I had to learn the lesson that "perfect love casteth out fear," for I had dieted so long and suffered so much that I had a morbid fear of food, and in spite of the practitioner's advice to dispense with all medicines, I was very fearful of giving up the nightly use of a laxative which I had taken for twelve years.

As I progressed with my studies I realized the time was coming when I must take a firm stand for Truth and discontinue the use of medicine, so I sat down one morning, and when I had read the Lesson-Sermon in the Christian Science Quarterly, I prayed earnestly for guidance. As I sat quietly listening, the words came very clearly, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." I pondered this for some time. I knew it was a direct message, but I was held in such bondage to medicine that I still continued to use it. After a few days I realized that my prayer had been answered in a most wonderful and unexpected manner, for instead of helping me, the medicine was setting up an irritation, and it was with joy, not unmixed with awe, that I threw the bottle away and burned all other aids that I had used, and I have not touched any drugs since. I am now in perfect health and can eat any kind of food.

This was the first of many healings in our home. My son was healed of a severe type of boil while he continued at work. Other boils had taken weeks to clear up, but this one simply faded away. I was also healed of an infected hand in two hours' time. These healings all took place with the help of a practitioner.

I thank God daily for Christian Science, for the peace and joy it has brought into our home, for a better understanding of the Bible, for Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, and all the Christian Science literature, for membership in a branch church, and for the loving and consecrated work of the practitioner, who has been such a tower of strength to me on my journey from sense to Soul.

I pray daily that my life may prove my gratitude to God and to our Leader, whose wonderful discovery helps us to understand and love God more.

(Mrs.) Hannah Petherick, Wanganui, New Zealand.

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