It is over thirty-six years since...

Phyllis M. Bristowe

It is over thirty-six years since I first commenced the study of Christian Science. As a child and as a young girl I was constantly searching for the truth, which I could not find in conventional religion. Then, when I was a young married woman, my baby son, aged three months, was given up by the doctors, who kindly informed me that they could do no more for him. I had been unable to nurse him, and he was apparently unable to retain any nourishment at all. He cried all night and most of the day.

My mother recommended that I try Christian Science, of which she had commenced the study two years earlier; but at first I would not hear of it. Finally, in desperation, feeling that since this was the last possible hope, I should fail in my duty as a parent if I did not try it, I very grudgingly asked what I had to do.

My mother gave me a copy of the Quarterly, lent me a copy of Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, and explained how to study the Lesson-Sermon, given in the Quarterly. She asked me to read the lesson aloud daily to the baby. This seemed to be such a ridiculous request that I even then delayed doing what she asked.

I had lessons of humility and obedience to learn. At last, ignorance and pride yielded, and I agreed to her request. Almost immediately the child's condition improved. The complete healing took two or three months; but by that time he was transformed from a sickly, ailing child with wasting limbs to a fine, chubby little fellow.

During the ensuing years I have had many wonderful proofs of the healing power of Christian Science. I have witnessed healings of lack and of unhappy human relationships. When she was seven years old, my daughter became quite ill, running a very high temperature.

After two days, in compliance with the law of the land, I sent for a doctor, who, on examining the child, diagnosed the trouble as tonsillitis. She told me that the tonsils were in a highly infected condition and should be removed without further delay. In fact, she wanted to make arrangements there and then to have the child taken to hospital. I refused this, telling her that I would prefer to trust Christian Science. However, at her insistence I promised to let her know how the child progressed.

By the next morning the temperature was normal, and the little girl lively and well, asking to get up. By the end of the week I was able to telephone and report that she seemed quite herself again and that there was no need for us to trouble the doctor any further.

For the next two years my daughter suffered from colds and sore throats, which from the medical viewpoint might have been occasioned by these same tonsils, but on each occasion the condition was quickly and effectively healed in Science. There were two passages in Science and Health that helped me immeasurably during this time. They are to be found on pages 463 and 494. The first is, "A spiritual idea has not a single element of error, and this truth removes properly whatever is offensive." The second reads, "Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need."

Then, when she was nearly ten years oil the child passed the entrance examination into the local high school, where she was required to undergo a general medical examination in company with all the other girls. When it came to her turn, the doctor seemed satisfied in every respect and remarked on examining her throat, "I see you have had your tonsils removed." My daughter replied that she had had no such operation.

'"But you hive, my dear," the doctor persisted. Again the child repeated that she had never had such an operation.

"Oh, well," the doctor said good-humoredly, "you must have swallowed them!"

I am profoundly grateful to God for Christ Jesus and our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy, who gave the truth of divine Science to the world and whose thought was so pure that she was able to receive this truth.—(Mrs.) Phyllis M. Bristowe, Worthing, Sussex, England.

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