When Christian Science came...

Lucy Hanes

When Christian Science came into my life in July, 1905, I had been an invalid for three years, suffering from heart trouble, stomach trouble, and a nervous breakdown with all its attendant ills. I had tried every type of medicine recommended to me, but I finally reached the place where material means had no effect, and the doctors could do no more for me.

I had saved a small sum of money with the thought that I would make one last effort to secure relief by going to some electrical institute. I was undecided about this, however, and so for five days I prayed earnestly to be led to the institute where I should receive the most benefit.

The afternoon of the fifth day a neighbor stopped in to visit me. She laid a bundle of magazines on my bed and said: "I have brought you some Christian Science Sentinels. I am personally acquainted with one woman whom it made over completely, but if you decide to take up Christian Science don't imagine it can do everything. As for myself, I want nothing to do with it."

After she left I lay there feeling very much hurt that a friend would suggest I try something she would not want for herself, and I made up my mind I would not read any of the Sentinels. However, since there were other magazines in the bundle, I decided to look at those. I untied the package and without realizing what I was doing picked up a Sentinel, opened it, and read the first article my eyes fell upon. It related a healing that one woman had by reading the testimony of another's healing. The thought came to me that if both those women had been healed, why couldn't I be? With great conviction I repeated these words aloud: "Lord, I believe."

It was about three o'clock in the afternoon, and suddenly the room was filled with a glorious light. For the next few minutes my experience would be difficult to describe. I realized that though on the earth, I was not of it. Then the light gradually faded away, and the thought came to me, I haven't an ache or a pain; I believe I'll get up. It was then that I knew I had been healed.

I called my sister, who was staying with me at the time, and told her what had occurred. I asked her to bring my clothes, for I was getting up. She was greatly frightened, because for several days I had not been able even to sit up. It took some time to coax her to get my clothes for me. That evening when my husband came home I was helping to prepare the evening meal, much to his amazement. I ate a hearty dinner, after months of following a diet consisting mainly of bread and milk. The next morning I arose and prepared the breakfast, and I have been on duty ever since.

During the years since this experience I have witnessed innumerable proofs of the healing power of Christian Science. I am deeply grateful to Christ Jesus, the Way-shower, and to our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, for giving us the understanding of this truth that meets our every need, because this understanding changed the entire course of my life. In the words of the Apostle Paul (II Cor. 9:15), "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."—(Mrs.) Lucy Hanes, Harvey, Illinois.

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January 4, 1947

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