About forty-six years ago divine...

Jennie Davis Settles

About forty-six years ago divine Love, through Christian Science, healed me after doctors had declared that I could live but a short time and was liable to die suddenly at any time from the effect of an incurable heart disease. This same condition was said to have caused the passing on of my father some years before, and I was supposed to have inherited the condition. I feel sure that the physician who last attended me was a truthful man and fully believed what he told me of my condition, but neither he nor I knew at that time that God and His Christ are "the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever" (Hebr. 13:8), and that He heals the sick today as in Jesus' time. This doctor assured me that there was nothing known to materia medica that could heal me, but I felt that "with God all things are possible."

Everything looked dark before me, and I was much concerned about my two daughters, who had not yet finished school and who seemed very dependent upon me. With all my heart I asked God to show me the next steps to take and, if it were possible, to let me stay with my children until they were able to make their own way in the world. The Father answered my prayer. A neighbor who was almost a stranger to me came in. She was the only Christian Scientist in the vicinity. Having heard that I was sick, she brought several books by Mrs. Eddy and laid them on the table by my bed, saying, "If you will read these books, I know they will help you." I thanked her, and she went away. I knew the books were Christian Science books, and was afraid to touch them, for some physicians and some of the churches had been saying that Christian Science was of the devil.

The books lay on the table for several days, and a battle raged in my consciousness. I wanted to do God's will, and I prayed, "Dear Lord, show me whether it is good or evil that is in these books, and if it is evil, I will not read a single word." Almost immediately a quiet voice seemed to say very distinctly, "Don't be afraid to read those books." Instantly all fear left me, and I picked up one of the books, "Miscellaneous Writings," and began to read. I do not know how long I read, and I remember only one outstanding idea, that angels are God's thoughts.

I knew that I had found the truth, the same spirit of Truth that Jesus used to heal the sick and the sinful, and was so thankful that I read on. It seemed as if almost at once I knew that I was well and did not have to die. I was so thankful and happy that I arose and dressed. At the same time I was also healed of severe headaches and other inharmonies, which have not returned in the more than forty-five years since then.

Words could not express all my gratitude to God for His loving-kindness to the children of men in sending His blessed healing truth into the world, first through our dear Saviour, Christ Jesus, and last through Mary Baker Eddy, His faithful servant. Through all the years since my first healing, this dear Comforter has been my only physician and my only dependence in trouble of any kind, and it has never failed me. The human record says that I was born in 1858. I now have better health than for years before I accepted Christian Science. I try to "pray without ceasing" and "in every thing give thanks."—(Mrs.) Jennie Davis Settles, Oakland, California.

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