Over twenty years ago, at a time...

Harriet Kothe

Over twenty years ago, at a time when I was in great need of physical healing, Christian Science was presented to me. After I had been under a doctor's care for several years for a complication of disorders, including nervous breakdown, stomach ailment, and insomnia, a stay at a sanatorium, where electric treatments and rest were prescribed, was ordered as a last resort for me. This necessitated a trip of about four hundred miles, which I made with great difficulty, arriving at my destination in a very weakened condition. Although I submitted to prescribed treatments and obediently followed the doctor's orders, I grew steadily worse and more helpless.

After eight weeks of these treatments, I realized that my funds were low, and decided to reduce expenses by boarding at a small hotel near by, where I could rest and try to gain strength to undertake my homeward trip. Often I was unable to appear in the dining room at mealtime. On one such occasion, as I lay ill and depressed, one of the guests, a young woman, knocked at my door and entered. In her hand she carried a book. After accepting my invitation to be seated, she remarked that she missed me at the dinner table and had decided to pay me a visit. She related that at some previous time her only sister, whom she dearly loved, had passed on, and through grief for this loved one her own health had been much impaired and her life despaired of. A brother, noticing her great need, presented her with a copy of the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy. He had heard it praised through a friend, and was anxious to have his sister read it. She studied the book carefully, and a wonderful healing of grief, and the ailments resulting therefrom, took place. As a result, she had become an earnest student of Christian Science.

Now she came offering this same book to me. At first I made excuses, saying that owing to my physical condition I was unable to concentrate. But realizing the love and kindness that impelled this good Samaritan, I consented to read the book. After half a day's reading I experienced such a keen realization of God's presence and peace that I purchased a copy of my own.

The doctor had warned me not to take a train trip, because of a serious heart condition, but I started homeward, depending on God and this heaven-sent message of Christian Science. That night, as I boarded the train for a twelve-hour trip, f fully expected to be awake all night, and thought I should spend the time reading my book. When settled in my berth. I commenced reading the chapter on Prayer. The next thing I knew it was morning. Then I observed that the passengers appeared to be anxious. A frightened gentleman approached me and said, "We are surely lucky to be alive this morning." This remark puzzled me until, upon questioning him. I learned that the train had been derailed during the night, and many had been shocked and disturbed by the terrific jolting, although no one had been seriously injured.

Immediately I realized that the reading of Science and Health had brought me this peaceful sleep, and had kept all on board and myself safe through that trying experience. I thanked God over and over again for Christian Science, and its revered Leader. Mary Baker Eddy.

Down through the years I have depended entirety on Christian Science, and am very grateful to have availed myself of the wonderful privilege of becoming a member of The Mother Church and of a branch church, of serving in the latter, and for class instruction from a consecrated teacher.

I have experienced and witnessed healings through Christian Science which include those of pneumonia and pleurisy in their last stages, gangrene, hemorrhage, dog bite, accidents, nervous breakdown, and lack. These healings have been effected sometimes with the help of faithful practitioners, sometimes through my own understanding. I can truly say that I am grateful to God for these healings, and that through Christian Science I am daily learning to "trust the Eternal when the shadows gather" (Christian Science Hymnal, No. 359).—(Mrs.) Harriet Kothe, Brooklyn, New York.

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Testimony of Healing

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