I waited patiently for the Lord...

Virginia P. Onderdonk

"I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry day, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings." These words (Ps. 40:1, 2) certainly apply to me. From early childhood I desired to learn about God and attended many different churches, searching for a satisfying religion. God "inclined unto me, and heard my cry," for when I looked into Christian Science and caught a glimpse of its wonderful teachings, my feet were set upon a rock and my goings were established.

I first heard of this Science when I was in high school and was asked to play the piano for the Christian Science Society in my home town. I shall never forget my first impression of a Christian Science service. The whole atmosphere was very peaceful, and I felt a sense of joy and calm such as I had never before experienced. The members appeared happy and expressed much love and kindness. After hearing the convincing testimonies, I became interested in knowing more about this religion.

One day, while suffering with an acute pain, I borrowed a copy of the textbook, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, and began to read. I found myself agreeing with everyone of Mrs. Eddy's statements, and I declared with tears of gratitude that at last I had found a religion I could believe in and love. I became so absorbed in reading the book that not until a few days afterward did I realize that I was healed. From that time on I became a student of this Science. I enrolled in the Sunday School and began the study of the Lesson-Sermons in the Christian Science Quarterly. A sprained finger was completely healed in less than twenty-four hours. I asked my Sunday School teacher to work for me, because the finger was swollen and painful, and I was scheduled to play on a program the following day. She asked me to study a statement on page 393 of the textbook: "Have no fear that matter can ache, swell, and be inflamed as the result of a law of any kind, when it is self-evident that matter can have no pain nor inflammation."

Another healing was one of food poisoning. While I was attending college, an epidemic of sickness broke out in the dormitory. It was learned that those who had eaten a certain food the day before had become ill. I knew I had eaten that particular food, and I began to manifest the symptoms of the illness. Then I called a practitioner, who began work for me. Within a period of thirty minutes I was completely free. This healing meant a great deal to me, for my friends knew I was a Christian Scientist, and they were greatly impressed when I did not go through the period of sickness that had been predicted.

I have had many proofs of God's protection and guidance. Through the study and application of Christian Science I was enabled to complete four years of college with all the necessary needs and funds beautifully and unexpectedly supplied at the right time, I am grateful to the Christian Scientist who encouraged me to rely wholly on divine Mind for my supply and guidance.

I am grateful to the practitioner who lovingly pointed out to me the importance of church membership, for after I became a member of The Mother Church and of a branch church, I made definite progress in my study of Christian Science.

An irritating skin condition called ringworm disappeared almost instantly after I realized that in reality I was a spiritual idea and that nothing inharmonious could attach itself to me or harm my being. The statement from Science and Health (p. 463) was very helpful: "A spiritual idea has not a single element of error, and this truth removes properly whatever is offensive." Before I knew of Science, I had experienced the same disease, and it was several months before I was healed.

I have experienced many other healings in Christian Science. A violent temper, constipation, headaches, colds, cuts, and burns have been overcome, I am also thankful for improved eyesight.

I am grateful for our inspiring periodicals, the Wednesday testimony meetings, and all the activities of the Christian Science movement which were provided through the love and wisdom of our dear Leader, Mary Baker Eddy. For membership in The Mother Church and in a branch church and for the sacred privilege of class instruction I give thanks.—(Mrs.) Virginia P. Onderdonk, Ithaca, New York.

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Testimony of Healing

Countless times I have proved...

July 10, 1948

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