In January, 1918, a friend...

Grace E. Burtt Martin

In January, 1918, a friend asked me to read "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy and told me of a Christian Science Reading Room in London, England, where I could buy a copy. Intrigued by the title, I bought a khaki-covered Vest Pocket Edition and read it from the first word to the last with deep interest, satisfaction, and a conviction of its Rightness.

My affiliation with an orthodox church had long since fallen by the wayside. Though the nearest Church of Christ, Scientist, was a considerable distance, I attended on Sunday mornings, making new friends and learning more of Truth.

When a few weeks later my two-year-old child developed measles, I reported it as the law required, but unhesitatingly asked for Christian Science treatment. The healing was immediate. I then began in earnest the never-ending process of learning to think and work in accordance with Christian Science. From that time, with and without the aid of practitioners, Science has proved to be an ever-present help and comforter. Influenza, constipation headaches, and a severe burn have been overcome. "The mounting footsteps of the upward way" (Christian Science Hymnal, No. 202) have been taken slowly out of trials that would have defeated me but for Christian Science.

An outstanding healing of my younger daughter took place in 1928. She was a healthy child until she reached the age of seven. Then she was suddenly stricken with an alarming and increasing weakness and listlessness. She could not get out of bed, took no interest in food, and seemed to be rapidly fading away. The school nurse in our country district insisted that an examination be made by a doctor. The verdict was tuberculosis of the spine. I wrote to a practitioner, and for the improvement that followed, my heart overflows with gratitude. Afterward I was able to write joyfully and say the healing was complete. The child resumed normal activities and later trained in acrobatic dancing. She is now the mother of three healthy children.

"Man shall not live by bread alone" the Bible says (Luke 4:4). During a five-year sojourn I made in the northern interior of this country our wonderful literature, arriving in bundles at irregular intervals, truly fed me with needed spiritual sustenance. It was particularly welcome, because at that time there was not even the radio to relieve the isolation.

I am deeply grateful to our revered Leader, Mrs. Eddy, for her persistence and loving work, which revealed the ever-present, ever-available truth demonstrated by Christ Jesus. Words are not adequate to appraise fully the value to mankind of Mrs. Eddy's achievement in the establishment of our movement, which she bequeathed to us to cherish and spread.—(Mrs.) Grace E. Burtt Martin, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

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Testimony of Healing

I am grateful for the many blessings...

June 11, 1955

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