My first healing in Christian Science revealed to me the truth...

Howard W. Van Ness

My first healing in Christian Science revealed to me the truth that man is the child of God and not a material diseased human being. I shall never cease to be grateful for this awakening over forty-five years ago. From childhood I always believed in God and the power of prayer but never learned how to pray until I came into Christian Science.

During the First World War, I was sales superintendent of a large New York City chain baking plant. Our general manager, a man I greatly loved and admired, passed on during the flu epidemic. This placed heavier responsibilities on me.

The strain and responsibility finally caused a physical breakdown and complications. My weight was reduced about sixty pounds in five weeks. I tried every material remedy I could find and consulted several leading medical specialists. The doctors told my wife they could do nothing for me. I had to resign my position with the baking company, which was my only source of income. I then took a part-time job selling office specialty machines, when I felt able; and eventually this experience helped me secure a position with a large typewriter company in New York.

A new assistant manager was transferred to our New York office. He and his wife called on us. During the evening his wife related her own healing of tuberculosis in an advanced stage. As a last resort she had stopped medical treatments and asked for Christian Science help from a practitioner. In a relatively short time she had been healed under Christian Science treatment alone. They told me about my relationship to God and His healing power and invited me to attend a service in a Church of Christ, Scientist.

The seed of Truth had been sown in my consciousness. Soon after this I had treatment from a practitioner. She talked to me about God and His omnipotence and told me that I was not material but a perfect spiritual idea, and that God's blessings were available to me immediately. The practitioner presented me with a new copy of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. This precious book changed my life. I prized it and read it every chance I had. I attended services and Christian Science Iectures at every opportunity.

My healing was slow but definite and complete, and I began to be happy and joyous. I gained weight, stopped smoking, joined a branch church, and became active in church work. Soon my wife and daughter began attending church services and later became active members of a branch church and The Mother Church. Now four generations of my family are active church members.

For the joyous opportunity to serve as First Reader, president of our church, head usher, and board member at different times during the past forty-five years, I am extremely grateful.

I have enjoyed exceptional business success during days of depression and have served in civic administrative positions as a result of God's bountiful blessings and standing faithfully on the teachings of Christian Science.

I am most grateful to God, the Giver of every good and perfect gift; for class instruction by a dedicated teacher; for Christ Jesus, our great Way-shower, and for Mrs. Eddy.

Howard W. Van Ness, Asbury Park, New Jersey

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