My first contact with Christian Science...

Ida Schroeder

My first contact with Christian Science was not for physical healing. My mother was interested in this religion, and occasionally I went with her to see a Christian Science practitioner and at her request read the Lesson-Sermon in the Christian Science Quarterly to her every morning.

At that time we had a seven-Year-old daughter who had always been considered a delicate child. She had difficulty in digesting food, and finally at a critical time, when the doctors were unable to help her, I decided to have Christian Science treatment and took her to see a practitioner. The practitioner calmed my fears, and later that day the child ate food that she had not been able to eat without experiencing difficulty. There were no ill effects, and that was the end of the stomach trouble.

Later our daughter had diphtheria, and I asked a practitioner to help her. A doctor was called to report the case to the Board of Health, and I told him that she was having Christian Science treatment. The child was healed quickly and permanently, and there were no aftereffects.

Some time later I became seriously ill, and the doctors could not diagnose the case. I decided that I wanted Christian Science treatment only, and the doctors were dismissed. The healing was a slow one. After five weeks had elapsed, I expressed a desire to go to a church service. It was difficult for me to get about, but with help I went to my first Wednesday evening testimony meeting. The love expressed there encouraged and helped me, and I attended the Sunday services and Wednesday meetings regularly after that. It was a year before I was completely free of the trouble, but I gained much spiritually. This healing occurred many years ago and has been permanent. The chapter on Prayer in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, was a constant inspiration to me during that difficult period.

I have experienced many healings since this first one; some through my own reading and understanding and others through the help of practitioners. Christian Science has healed me in time of sorrow and loneliness, and through my application of its truths financial difficulties have been overcome. I have proved in a measure Mrs. Eddy's statement on page 20 of her Message to The Mother Church for 1901, "The Christian Scientist is alone with his own being and with the reality of things."

I am grateful for all the good that has come to me through Christian Science, and I wish to acknowledge my debt of gratitude to Mrs. Eddy for her life of spirituality and for giving us the textbook, Science and Health. I am also grateful for the blessing of class instruction and the privilege of serving in a branch church.—(Mrs.) Ida Schroeder, Forest Hills, New York.

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