Miscellaneous Writings Part 82

Father-Mother G.o.d, Loving me,- [15]

Guard me when I sleep; Guide my little feet Up to Thee.

TO THE BIG CHILDREN

Father-Mother good, lovingly [20]

Thee I seek,- Patient, meek, In the way Thou hast,- Be it slow or fast, Up to Thee. [25]

CHAPTER XII. TESTIMONIALS

Letters From Those Healed By Reading "Science And Health With Key To The Scriptures"

The Editor of _The Christian Science Journal_ (Falmouth and St. Paul Streets, Boston, Ma.s.s.) holds the original of most of the letters that authenticate these.

It is something more than a year and a half since I was cured of a complication of diseases through reading "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures."

Becoming at an early age disgusted with drugs, I learned hygiene, and practised it faithfully for over twenty years; then I began to lose all faith in its efficacy, became greatly discouraged, and, as I had never been cured of a single ailment, I rapidly grew worse in health. Hearing of this, a dear sister brought me Science and Health. Her admonition was, "Now read it, E--; I have heard that just the reading of that book has been known to heal the sick."

I had read to, and through, the chapter on Healing and Teaching,(8) and was so deeply interested that I began reading that blessed chapter over again,-when I found I was cured of my dyspepsia, that I could use my strength in lifting without feeling the old distressing pain in my side, and also that the pain in the kidneys only came on at night, waking me out of sleep. Then I began my first conscious treatments: of course I followed no formula, and I needed none. A cry for help, knowing it would be answered; precious texts from the Bible, which had already become like a new book to me; sweet a.s.surance of faith by the witnessing Spirit; strong logical conclusions, learned from Science and Health: what a wealth of material! Before finis.h.i.+ng the book, all tendency to my old aches and pains had left me, and I have been a strong, healthy woman ever since.

My first demonstration with another than myself was also before I had finished my first reading. My husband was cured of the belief of bilious fever by not over ten minutes' treatment; the fever and pain in head and limbs disappearing in that instantaneous way as soon as I could summon sufficient courage to offer my services in this, to us, new but glorious work. He slept soundly that night (the treatment was given about 10 A.

M.), and ate and worked as usual the next day, with no symptoms of a relapse then or afterward. That was in March, 1888; in the following August I met in one of our Rocky Mountain berry patches a lady who complained so bitterly that I felt compelled to offer her treatment. Her words, when I visited her at her home during Christmas week, will give some idea of the result:-

"Yes, I am doing three women's work,-attending to my own and my son's housework, and caring for his wife and new-born babe; but I am equal to it, when I think of all the Lord has done for me! Why, Mrs. S., I was cured with that first treatment you gave me, I know; because I went out to gather berries that day and was caught in a drenching shower,-and for ten years before I could not bear the least exposure without suffering from those dreadful headaches I told you about, and from dysentery,-but that day I had neither. I had once been laid out for dead,-lying there perfectly conscious, hearing my friends grieving over me,-but I did not want to come to, I suffered so. No, I never have any of those ailments. I am a well, hearty woman,-and that is not all. I had been seeking religion for more than twenty years, but I never knew how Christians felt till I told you I was cured that day on the camp-ground."

On the first of this year I was so blessed as to receive a course of lessons from one of our teacher's students. Now I am only trusting that the time will come when I may be enabled to teach others the way of Truth, as well as to add to the many demonstrations G.o.d has given me.-E. D. S.

A student of Christian Science was employed in the Ma.s.sachusetts State Prison at Charlestown, to teach the prisoners to make shoes. He carried his copy of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" and the _Journal_ with him, and as he had the opportunity would tell the men what this wonderful truth could do for them, setting them free in a larger and higher sense than they had dreamed of.

We make extracts from a number of letters that one of the prisoners has written to those who are interesting themselves in this work.

"_Editor of The Christian Science Journal_:-At the prison, once a week, there are Christian papers given to the inmates. But none of those papers point out so clearly the fallibility of the mortal or carnal mind, and the infallibility of the divine Mind, as does the teaching of Christian Science.

"I was strangely blind and stupid. I loved sin, and it seemed as though I never would be able to forsake it. I did everything that would be expected of one entirely ignorant of G.o.d.

"I also had a complication of diseases. I could not begin to describe the medicines I have taken.

"I no longer look for material treatment, but humbly seek for the divine a.s.sistance of Jesus, through the way Christian Science has taught me. I am, indeed, an altered man. I now have no more doubt of the way of salvation than I have of the way to the prison workshop.

"I am very grateful to the students of Christian Science, for the interest they have taken in me and my fellow-prisoners. Their letters and books have been of great profit, and in accordance with their wish I have done what I could for the others.

"I gave the _Journal_ to every man who would accept it, and related my experience to those who would listen. I told them they need go no farther than myself to see what the demonstration was; for not only have my eyes been healed, but many other ailments have disappeared.

"Some of the fellows told me I was becoming religiously insane, but acting upon your advice, I did not stop to argue with those opposed; and I am glad to be able to tell you that those who expressed interest were more than those who opposed.

"The chaplain told me I could keep Science and Health until I got through with it. I never should get through with that book, but, as others were waiting for it, I did not like to keep it too long. G.o.d bless the author!

"I need have no fear after leaving here; I feel that I can make an honest living. I can honestly add, that my bad reputation is largely due to my lack of education. What little I do know, I learned here and in the House of Correction. I tell you this, for I feel that I must be honest with the kind friends who have done so much for me.

"Providing I should not be paroled, I shall remain here until the 24th of next December. G.o.d bless you all.-J. C."

I am glad to tell how I was healed. Beliefs of consumption, dyspepsia, neuralgia, piles, tobacco, and bad language held me in bondage for many years. Doctors that were consulted did nothing to relieve me, and I constantly grew worse. Nearly two years ago a lady told me that if I would read a book called "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" I would be healed. I told her I would "go into it for all it is worth," and I have found that it is worth all. I got the book, and read day and night. I saw that it must be true, and believed that what I could not then understand would be made clear later.

After some days' reading I was affected with drowsiness, followed by vomiting. This lasted several hours; when I fell into a sleep, and awoke healed. The good I have received, and that I have been able to do in healing others, has all come from Science and Health. I received some instructions from teachers; but they did me more harm than good: I asked for bread, but they gave me a stone. I held to what I could understand of Science and Health; and the truth does not forsake me, but enables me to heal others.

Last February, I was called to treat a child that the M. D.'s said was dying from lung fever; after the third treatment the child got up and ran about, completely healed. Another child was brought to me, with rupture; after the second treatment the truss was thrown away. An aged lady was healed of heart disease and chills, in one treatment. These cases brought me many more, that were also healed.

The husband of a lady in the State Lunatic Asylum asked me to treat her; she had been for two years and a half in the asylum, and though taken home in this time once or twice, she had had to be taken back. After two weeks of absent treatment, the husband visited her, and the doctor reported great improvement during the preceding two weeks. At the end of another two weeks I went with the husband to the asylum, and the doctor told us that she was well enough to go home. The husband asked the doctor how it was that she had improved so rapidly, and he said that he could not account for it. We said nothing about the Christian Science treatment, and took the lady home. This was about a year ago, and she has remained perfectly well.

Many cases as striking as this can be referred to in this town, as evidence that Truth is the healer of sickness as well as of sin.-J. B. H.

No. 1. A lady friend, who was found to have a severe attack of dysentery, was a.s.sured that such attacks could be cured without medicine, and advised to take no more. She was more than astonished at the result; for in less than an hour all pain and other symptoms of the trouble ceased, and she felt perfectly well the next day.

No. 2. While she was visiting relatives in the country, an infant of theirs was attacked severely with croup, and appeared to be on the verge of suffocation, giving its parents much alarm. The infant was taken in the arms of the lady, in thirty minutes was completely relieved, went to sleep, and awoke in good health the next morning.

No. 3. The mother of this child was subsequently attacked with a scrofulous swelling on the neck, just under the ear, which was very painful and disfiguring; the side of the face, also, being badly swollen.

It was feared that this would develop into and undergo the usual phenomenon of abscess, as other similar swellings had done previously. She had great faith in the metaphysical treatment, because of the experience which she had had with her baby, and wrote a letter describing her case.

This was immediately answered, and absent treatment was begun. In twenty-four hours after receipt of the letter, to the astonishment of herself and family, the tumor had entirely disappeared: there was not a trace of it left; although the day before it was fully as large as a hen's egg; red, and tender to the touch.

These instances are only a few of the many cures which have been performed in this way, and they are mentioned simply to show what good work may be done by any earnest, conscientious person who has gained by reading my works the proper understanding of the Principle of Christian Science.

What a wonderful field for enlightenment and profit lies open to those who seek after Truth. Alas, that the feet of so few enter it!

_Rev. M. B. G. Eddy_:-Will you kindly spare me a few moments for the perusal of these lines from a stranger,- one who feels under a debt of grat.i.tude to you,-for, through the divine Science brought to light by you, I have been "made whole." I have been cured of a malignant cancer since I began to study Christian Science, and have _demonstrated the truth_ of it in a number of cases. I have only studied your good books, having been _unable_ to take the lectures for want of means. I dare not think of these, for there is no prospect that I shall be in a position to take the course at all. I do not allow myself to complain, but cheerfully take up my books and study, and feel thankful for this light.

M. E. W., Canon City, Col.

_Dear Madam_:-May I thank you for your book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," and say how much I owe to it-almost my very life-at a most critical time....

If it were not for the heat of your American summers (I had nine attacks of dysentery in the last one), and the expense, I should dearly like to learn from you personally; but I must forego this,-at any rate, for the present. If you would write me what the cost would be for a course on divine metaphysics, I would try to manage it later on.

Meanwhile, I should be grateful if you would refer me to any one in this country who is interested similarly, for I get more kicks than halfpence in discussing it.

Your obliged friend,