At a time when I was working...

E. Theodore Couch

At a time when I was working in New Orleans, Louisiana, a skin condition developed on my hands which caused me much suffering, and my arms and legs became very swollen. I therefore sought and gained admission to the Christian Science Benevolent Association, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. After my arrival at the Benevolent Association, I asked a local practitioner to give me treatment through prayer.

When I made an inquiry about using a skin cream, it was pointed out to me that if I used even water for medicinal purposes, I would be hindering the prayerful metaphysical work being done for me. I did not purchase cream or use anything for medicinal purposes, but I studied the Bible and the writings of Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, a little harder, and their contents began to mean something to me.

First I read these words of Mrs. Eddy on page viii of the Preface to Science and Health: "The question, What is Truth, is answered by demonstration,—by healing both disease and sin; and this demonstration shows that Christian healing confers the most health and makes the best men." This so inspired me that I rushed from my room. Meeting a nurse in the hallway I told her about it, and she said that I must now "use it."

The next sentence that impressed me is on page xi of the Preface and reads, "The physical healing of Christian Science results now, as in Jesus' time, from the operation of divine Principle, before which sin and disease lose their reality in human consciousness and disappear as naturally and as necessarily as darkness gives place to light and sin to reformation."

I continued to study and to have help from the practitioner, and then I found just what I was looking for. After indicating that love and tenderness must characterize genuine healing, Mrs. Eddy writes (ibid., p. 367), "This is what is meant by seeking Truth, Christ, not 'for the loaves and fishes,' nor, like the Pharisee, with the arrogance of rank and display of scholarship, but like Mary Magdalene, from the summit of devout consecration, with the oil of gladness and the perfume of gratitude, with tears of repentance and with those hairs all numbered by the Father."

As indicated above, the suggestion had come to me that the skin condition would be eased by the application of some kind of lubrication. So now I repeated over and over to myself the words, "the oil of gladness and the perfume of gratitude." and I tried to act with gladness and gratitude. I entered into many of the activities of the Sanatorium. I knew I was being healed. And indeed in another day or two, my hands had so improved that I was able to return South and resume my work. My legs were slower in returning to normal, but the healing was eventually complete.

I am very grateful to God for Christian Science, my guide in daily living.—E. Theodore Couch, Birmingham, Alabama.

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