Miscellaneous Writings, 1883-1896 Part 84
I had two German patients who were anxious to have you publish "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" in their language. I advised them to buy it and try to read it. They commenced reading, and now can read all of Science and Health, but do not read well any other book or paper, and they do not need to. With great love.-M. H. P.
I sold three copies of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" to friends, not long ago. One of them, fifty years of age, said to me, "I never had one day's sickness in my life; but after reading Science and Health I found that I was bruised and mangled, from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet. I have been reaching after something that, before reading Science and Health, seemed to me unattainable;" and with tears in her eyes, she rejoiced in the G.o.d of her salvation. Did not Jesus say, "If these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out"?
P. L., Lexington, Ky.
For eight years I suffered terribly with my eyes; I could not read fifteen minutes without the most agonizing sick headache. Oculists called it a case of double vision, and said that the only chance for a cure lay in cutting the muscles of the eyes. This was done, but the pain was worse than before. One of the most famous oculists of New York said I would simply have to endure it for life, as it was a case of severe astigmatism.
I suffered so that my health gave way. A friend spoke to me of Christian Science, but I scoffed at the idea. Later on, in desperation, I asked her to lend me "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," thinking I might be able to read five minutes a day in it. I opened the book at the chapter on Physiology, and began. Time pa.s.sed unnoticed: every page seemed illuminated. I said, "This is everything or nothing; if everything, then you need no gla.s.ses." I took off the heavy ground gla.s.ses, and went on.
What a terrible headache I had the next morning! but I fought it with the truth laid down in the book. I said again, "This is everything or nothing," and the truth triumphed. The headache ceased, but I felt miserably. I recalled what was said about chemicalization, and persevered.
In four days my eyes were well; I read as many hours a day as I pleased; my strength returned. I conquered one belief after another, until now, strong and well, I meet every belief with confidence. "I will fear _no_ evil: for _Thou_ art with me." For two years I have realized the peace and confidence which the knowledge that G.o.d is all-powerful and always present alone can give. Feeling a great desire to spread Christian Science, that it may do the good to others that it has to me, not only physically but spiritually, I ask if you have any missionaries in the work. Being a member of the Episcopal Church, I have always sent what I could to help foreign missions through that church. Will it do the most good to continue so doing, as our foreign missionaries are devoted men, or have you Christian Science missionaries who devote their lives to the work?
An answer addressed to me, or published in the _Journal_, would help one who is seeking to do right.
Yours sincerely, K. L. T.
I do wish to add my testimony of being healed by reading "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." I had been an invalid for over twenty years, and had given up all hope of ever being well again. I had read the book about six weeks, when it seemed I was made all over new, and I could "run, and not be weary; and ... walk, and not faint." I did not understand it, but it was the savior from death unto life with me; I have remained well ever since I was healed,-more than five years ago. I commenced to treat others as soon as I was born anew into the kingdom of Truth. My patients were healed right along, before I had taken lessons in a cla.s.s, and they have remained well to this day.
Christian Science has made me as young as a girl of sixteen. If this should meet the eye of any sufferers who may be led to go and do as I did, they will be healed.-N. A. E.
Language is inadequate when bearing grateful testimony to the book "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." By its simple reading, I was healed of ills which baffled the skill of specialists and all curatives that love and money could command. After eighteen years of invalidism, and eight years of scepticism, without hope, with no G.o.d,-except a First Cause,-I was given up to die.
A loving friend told me of this book, which was soon brought; and thirty-five pages of the first chapter were read to me that evening. The next morning I got up, walked, and read the book for myself.
I mention the chapter, for the reason that nearly two years have pa.s.sed since those wonderful words of Life were first read to me, and _still_ their sacred sweetness is ever the same. Now I exclaim, _G.o.d is_ All!
MRS. MARY A. R.
It is impossible for me to keep still any longer. In 1885, when I had not known a well day in five years, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" was placed in my hands by a dear lady who insisted upon my reading it, saying she believed it would heal me. Like many, I was afraid of it,-until I learned what it really was. The friend's words were verified. I _was_ healed by the reading of the book, and for one year continued to read nothing whatever but the Bible and Science and Health.
They were my constant study. Through the understanding gained, that _G.o.d_ is _All_, I came to demonstrate with great success, and with but one thought,-for I knew nothing about giving a "treatment;" I wish I knew as little now, for I believe that healing in Christian Science is to be done in a moment. I became anxious to learn more, to study with the teacher, but funds would not allow,-and I thought to subst.i.tute a course in Chicago, perhaps. Every time I would speak of it, however, my dear mother would say, "You have Science and Health and the Bible, and G.o.d for your teacher-what more do you need? If I could not go to the teacher, I would not go to any one."
If I had only heeded the blessed counsel of Truth!
I went to Chicago, however, so full of confidence in Christian Science that I supposed every one who had studied with Mrs. Eddy must be right.
Unfortunately, I took my course with a spiritualist who had been through two of her cla.s.ses; discovered my mistake, and went to a mind-cure,-only to find the mistake repeated. Being an earnest seeker for Truth, I tried again to go to the Ma.s.sachusetts Metaphysical College; but it was uncertain when there would be a cla.s.s, so I took a course with one of Mrs.
Eddy's students in Boston. The darkness now rolled away. Science and Health once more revealed the light to me as of old.
All this time, the mind-curers had me in view, and were sending me reading-matter; but, _praise the Lord!_ Truth is victorious.
My dear brothers and sisters, let us be safely guided by the counsels of our Mother, in Science and Health! I, for one, am astounded that I was so led astray; but I did it all through ignorance,-and the _sincere_ desire to know the truth and to _do_ it, saved me.
Your sister in truth, R. D.
I have been reading Science and Health for one year and a half, and have had some wonderful demonstrations. People here are antagonistic to the Science, and tell me that I am a "fit subject for the asylum." Physicians threaten me with arrest, also, but I walk straight on, knowing _well in whom I trust_.
E. I. R., Wauseon, Ohio
A little over two years ago, while living in Pittsburgh, my wife and I had Christian Science brought to our attention. We were at once interested, and bought a copy of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures."
At the time, Mrs. A-- was suffering with severe belief of astigmatism of the eyes. She had been treated by a number of specialists, during seven years, the last being the late Dr. Agnew of New York, who prescribed two sets of gla.s.ses. He said that he could do nothing more for her, as the trouble was organic; that she must wear gla.s.ses constantly; that if she attempted to go without, she would become either blind or insane. The gla.s.ses were in operation, and still life had become a burden from constant pain, when Christian Science came to our relief. Mrs. A-- had not in years read for two consecutive minutes, and could not use her eyes in sewing at all. The lady that told us of the Science, insisted that she _could_ read Science and Health, which she actually did,-reading it through twice, and studying it carefully each time. After the second reading, there came the thought that she did not need the gla.s.ses, and she at once abandoned them, and went about her usual duties. In about two weeks from that day the eyes were perfectly healed, and are well and strong to-day.
E. G. A., New York City
_My Dear Teacher:_-Yours without date is at hand. Could you know out of what depths of material _debris_ the first reading of the first volume of Science and Health, six years ago last December, lifted me, you would believe it had always been "all I could ask." It was _only_ words from the pen of _uninspired_ writers that gave me pain. As the revelation of the All-good appeared to me, all other books, all forms of religion, all methods of healing, to my sense became void. Chronic beliefs of disease of twenty years' standing, dimness of sight from the belief of age, all disappeared _instantly_; indeed, material life seemed a blank. The _why?_ I could not explain, but this I did know, in this realm of the real I found joy, peace, rest, love to all, unbounded, unspeakable. Human language had lost its power of expression, for no words came to me; and in all this six years of bliss I still have found no words to tell my new-found life in G.o.d. The most chronic forms of disease have sometimes been healed instantly and without argument. With great love and grat.i.tude.-M. H. P.
I take great comfort in reading "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," and will cling firmly to the light I have, knowing that more will be given me. While in Salt Lake City, I met at the hotel a lady who had been an invalid all her life. I talked with her about Christian Science, and loaned her Science and Health, together with the _Journals_ I had with me. She had become very much discouraged, having lost all faith in doctors and medicine, and did not know where to turn next. She became very much absorbed in the book, feeling she had found salvation. She at once laid aside the gla.s.ses she was wearing, and now reads readily without them. She and her husband have accepted this truth beautifully.-Mrs. G. A.
G., Ogden, Utah
On a trip through Mexico I met a woman who told me that, although she did not believe in Christian Science, on her way from Wisconsin, her home, she had bought a copy of Science and Health. When she reached M--, she met a minister from the North, whom the M. D.'s had sent there because of consumption,-they had given him two months to live. She gave him Science and Health, and while doing so, felt it was all absurd. The minister read it, and was healed _immediately_. Was not this a beautiful demonstration of the power of Truth, and good evidence that Science and Health is the word of G.o.d?
I had while in Mexico a glorious conquest over the fear of smallpox. There were hundreds of cases in some small towns where we were. After the fear was cast out, never a thought of it as real came to me or my husband, or troubled us in any way. On the street I met three men who were being taken to the pest-house with that loathsome disease.-F. W. C.
A lady to whom I sold "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,"
writes me: "My longing to know G.o.d has been answered in this book; and with the answer has come the healing." She is an intimate friend of Will Carleton, the poet. This is doing much good in the social circles. He has for a long time been interested, but his wife has declared it could not heal, and was not Christian. She will now be obliged to acknowledge this healing, for the lady above referred to has been, to sense, a great sufferer.-P. J. L.
Some of the experiences given in the _Journal_ have been so helpful to me, I have been moved to give to its readers a little experience of my own, which occurred when I first began the study of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures."
I had already been healed of sick headache, almost instantly, by declaring that I was G.o.d's child, and, as G.o.d is perfect, His child must be perfect also. This had given me great happiness, and a quiet, peaceful state of mind I never had known before. My family did not seem to see anything good in Christian Science, but to me it was sacred.
One Monday morning, I awoke feeling very ill indeed. The morning was warm and sultry. I thought I certainly could not wash that day; but when I went downstairs, I found my daughter had made preparations for such work. I thought, "Well, if she feels like washing, I will not say anything; perhaps I shall get over this." After breakfast I went about my work, thinking I could lean against the tub and wash with more ease than I could do up the morning work. I tried to treat myself as I had done before,-tried to realize that "all is Mind, there is no matter;" that "G.o.d is All, there is nothing beside Him," but all to no purpose. I seemed to grow worse all the time. I did not want my family to know how badly I was feeling, and it was very humiliating to think that I must give up and go to bed.
All at once these questions came to me, as though spoken by some one, taking me away from my line of thought entirely: How is G.o.d an ever-present help? How does He know our earnest desires? Then, without waiting for me to think how, the answer came in the same way, G.o.d is conscious Mind. Instantly the thoughts came: Is G.o.d conscious of me? Can I be conscious of Him? I was healed instantly: every bad feeling was destroyed. I could see that the morning had not changed a particle, but I was oblivious of the weather. It did not seem that I had anything more to do with that washing. It was finished in good season, while I was "absent from the body, and present with the Lord."