In Psalms we read (40:2), "He...

Ethel Dahl

In Psalms we read (40:2), "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings." I wish to add my testimony to the many that have helped me and to praise the Lord for His great goodness to "the children of men."

My experience is somewhat like that of the prodigal son, told by Jesus in Luke's Gospel. I had been brought up in a Christian home with all the love and protection needed, humanly speaking, but in later years, when I went to a distant city, the attractions of the world enticed me, and I sought happiness where it was unobtainable. I had many bitter disappointments and trials, but now I have learned that the truth makes free. "The muddy river-bed must be stirred in order to purify the stream" (Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, p. 540). In an effort to find the right way. I attended many orthodox churches of different denominations, but derived no happiness or satisfaction therefrom.

My entrance into Christian Science was somewhat of a miracle to me. I knew no one who professed the religion, but because I had been brought up in the neighborhood where it was discovered, I had a certain awe of it although I joined others in ridiculing it.

As I was listening to my radio one Sunday morning, my attention was attracted to the local program given by the Christian Science churches of this city. The speaker was telling a story about the devil. The devil was having an auction sale, but had put quite a price on a certain tool called "the wedge." Upon being questioned, the devil replied that the reason for the high price was that he did not care to sell the instrument, for it was the "wedge of discouragement," and was an extremely useful little tool.

The story was very telling, inasmuch as I was so disconsolate that I had contemplated self-destruction. I heard the program to the end, and then something prompted me to attend the Christian Science church. I heeded this impulse and went to one of the local branch churches. The Sunday on which I first attended was Communion Sunday, and one of the hymns sung was by Mrs. Eddy (Poems, p. 75): "Saw ye my Saviour? Heard ye the glad sound?" I knew then that I had found my right place, and what a flood of love, joy, and peace came into my being!

I procured the textbook. Science and Health, from the Reading Room and the attendant lovingly guided me in the first steps to be taken. I just about lived in the Reading Room, and as I read Science and Health I could feel the divine energy healing me. My first healing, one which came through the reading of this book, was the laying aside of glasses which I had worn for over thirty years. This healing has been permanent. I have had many other healings, of burns, colds, grippe, and the results of a fall from a chair; and lost articles have been restored. Some of these healings came about through the assistance of practitioners, and others through my applying what small knowledge I had of Christian Science.

A growth on one of my fingers disappeared when I forgave a loved one for a supposed wrong done to me. This loved one knows nothing about the incident. An advancement in a position in my office was obtained and retained as I clung to the truth of Mrs. Eddy's statement (ibid., p. 215), "'Whatever is governed by God, is never for an instant deprived of the light and might of intelligence and Life."

I am very happy in this newfound religion, and am a member of The Mother Church and of a branch church. It is a wonderful privilege to work for the Cause of Christian Science, to study the Lesson-Sermon daily, to read our dear Leader's writings and the periodicals for unfoldment, enlightenment, and understanding, and to practice daily what I learn from these writings. It is a joy to be a student of this wonderful religion, and my great desire is always to be worthy of the name "Christian Scientist."—(Mrs.) Ethel Dahl, Washington, District of Columbia.

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Testimony of Healing

My introduction to Christian Science...

June 15, 1946

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