During my childhood my father...

Bernice Carson

During my childhood my father passed on with what was diagnosed as tuberculosis, and thereafter the fear of this disease was prevalent in our home. Shortly before I was to be married I manifested symptoms of it in my hipbone and in my lungs. Our family doctor was much concerned with my condition, and I was very much depressed at the postponement of my marriage plans. An ordeal of X rays and examinations by several prominent specialists was followed by their decision that I be sent to a tuberculosis sanitarium to strengthen me for an operation on my hip.

Before my departure a very dear friend came to see me and brought me a book, saying, "I am sure this book will heal you as it has so many others." I looked at her with great surprise and replied, "My life seems to be over, and you tell me that a book can heal me." Nevertheless my friend urged me to read the book, entitled "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." Slowly I began to read that wonderful message of Truth and Love penned by Mary Baker Eddy.

Later I decided to see a Christian Science practitioner. With great kindness she spoke to me of the simple truths of Christian Science and of her own healing of a condition of the back for which she had had to wear a brace. Since I was going to a medical sanitarium, the practitioner explained that she would be unable to work for me. However, she encouraged me to continue my study of the Bible and Science and Health. She quoted to me from the latter these uplifting words (p. 392): "Stand porter at the door of thought. Admitting only such conclusions as you wish realized in bodily results, you will control yourself harmoniously." She also referred me to "the scientific statement of being," which begins with the sentence (ibid., p. 468), "There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter."

Although a tuberculosis sanitarium is not an ideal place to study Christian Science, I clung to its truths day and night. One day the nurse in charge of our ward saw me reading Science and Health. When she saw the title of the book, she whispered that the same book had healed her grandmother and that it would probably help me.

After I had been a very short time in the sanitarium, where I received no medical treatment, the discharge from the hipbone stopped, my lungs became normal, and I was released. I continued my study of Christian Science, went back to work, and six months later married my fiancé. Through the application of the teachings of Science I have lived a busy and interesting life as a mother, a homemaker, and a businesswoman.

I am very grateful to God for membership in The Mother Church and a branch church and for the spiritual-mindedness and courage of Mrs. Eddy.—(Mrs.) Bernice Carson, Santa Monica, California.

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