Science and Health
with Key to The Scriptures
by Mary Baker Eddy
Chapter XVIII - Fruitage

 

619:1
material remedies I had and threw them away. That
was seven years ago, and I have not had any use for them
since. My husband was healed of the tobacco habit
of fifty years' standing, also of kidney trouble, by read-
ing Science and Health. I have not words to express
the gratitude I feel to-day for the many blessings that
have come to our home. – Mrs. M. K. O., Seattle,
Wash.
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A HELPFUL HEALING
619:10
I became interested in Christian Science about eleven
years ago, and was healed of neuralgia of the stomach,
from which I had suffered from a child. As I grew older,
the spells became more frequent and more severe; the
only relief physicians could give me was by hypodermic
injections of morphine. Finally, after each spell, I would
be prostrated for a day or two with the after-effect of the
morphine. I was entirely healed of this trouble through
the study of Science and Health. I think I never realized
what fear meant until I began to try and put into practice
my understanding of Christian Science for my children.
I have proved, however, many times, that fear can
neither help nor hinder in our demonstration of truth.
The first time I realized this was in the overcoming of
a severe case of croup for my little boy. I was
awakened one night by the sound that seems to bring
terror to every mother's heart, and found the little
fellow sitting up in bed, gasping for breath. I got up,
took him in my arms, and went into the next room.
My first thought was, "O if only there was another
Christian Scientist in town!" But there was not, and
the work must be done and done quickly. I tried
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to treat him, but was so frightened I could not think;
so I picked up Science and Health, which lay on the
table beside me, and began reading aloud. I had read
but a few lines when these words came to me as though
a voice spoke, "The word of God is quick, and powerful,
and sharper than any two-edged sword." Almost im-
mediately after, the little one said, "Mamma, sing 'Shep-
herd,'" – our Leader's hymn, that both the big and
the little children love. I began singing, and commenc-
ing with the second line, the little voice joined me. I
shall never forget the feeling of joy and peace that came
over me, when I realized how quickly God's word, through
Science and Health and the beautiful hymn, had accom-
plished the healing work. This is only one of many
instances in which the power of God's word to heal has
been demonstrated in our home. – A. J. G., River-
side, Cal.
620:18
RELIEF FROM MANY ILLS
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Paul said, "Be ye transformed by the renewing of your
mind." In my own case deafness has been overcome by
an enlarged understanding of God's word, as explained
by Mrs. Eddy in Science and Health. Many times I
have been enabled to turn to God, to know it was His
will to help in trouble, and obtained the needed benefit.
Catarrh has disappeared; tonsilitis, which very frequently
laid me aside from duties in the schoolroom and home,
is no longer manifest. When temptation comes (for
Christian Science is both preventive and curative), I turn
to that wonderful book, Science and Health, and my
precious Bible, grown dearer since read in the new light
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of spiritual understanding, until I know that my mind is
renewed, because the action is changed and the inflam-
mation has abated.
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Thus in my experience in Christian Science, I have seen
the transformation begun, and Truth is able to perfect
that which is begun in me so gloriously. – Mrs. C.A.
McL., Brooklyn, Nova Scotia.
621:8
HEALTH AND PEACE ATTAINED
621:9
For fifteen years I was a great sufferer physically and
mentally. Eminent physicians treated me for hereditary
consumption, torpid liver, and many other diseases. I
sought relief at famous springs, the ozone of Florida, and
the pure air of Colorado, but in vain. My life was one
ceaseless torture.
621:15
During all this time, however, I was an earnest seeker
after Truth. I examined every religious teaching with
a calm and unprejudiced attention. From an orthodox
Protestant I became a skeptic, and a follower of Voltaire,
Tom Paine, and Ingersoll; yet all the while I retained
faith in a supreme intelligent Being who made all. Sick,
weary, doubting, and despairing, I accidentally went into
a Christian Science church in New York City, on a Wed-
nesday evening, not knowing what kind of a place it was.
Seeing a large number of people going into the build-
ing, I followed, supposing that a marriage ceremony
had attracted the crowd. Being informed it was their
regular Wednesday evening service, I inquired as to the
denomination. I concluded that it was another new fad,
but after investigation I procured a copy of Science and
Health, promising I would read it carefully. I began
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reading the book on Tuesday and finished on Friday of
the same week. I was still in the dark. I laid the book
down, involuntarily closed my eyes, and silently prayed
to God.
622:5
I remained in that attitude a few moments, when I
felt like the mariner who had been tossed for days upon
a boisterous sea, the clouds bending low, the billows
rolling high, all nature wrapped in darkness; in his de-
spair he kneels and commits his soul to God, when he
suddenly beholds the North Star breaking through the
clouds, enabling him to guide his ship to the shores of
safety. Many things were made plain to me. I saw
that there is one Fatherhood of God and one brother-
hood of man; that though "once I was blind, now I see;"
that there was no more pain, nor aches, no fear, nor in-
digestion. I slept that night like a babe and awoke next
morning refreshed. There are now no traces whatever of
my former complaint and I feel like a new being. – L. P.,
New York, N. Y.
622:20
HEALTH AND PEACE GAINED
622:21
About nine years ago I was drawn to Christian
Science by a relative whose many afflictions had given
place to health and harmony, and whose loving grati-
tude was reflected in every word and deed. The
thought came to me, God indeed healeth all our
diseases.
622:27
My first reading of Science and Health was without
understanding. I was full of darkness and gloom, and
it was laid aside for a time. The good seed had been
sown, however, and erelong the reading was resumed,
623:1
and with such interest that my afflictions disappeared
"like mist before the morning sun." Asthma (thought
to be hereditary), neuralgia in an aggravated form, and
besides these, the tobacco and liquor habit of many years'
standing left me. Bless the Lord, "He sent his word"
and healed me, – for the reading of Science and Health
brought to my consciousness the truth that makes free. –
S., Shellman, Ga.
623:9
CONSUMPTION QUICKLY CURED
623:10
I became interested in Christian Science nearly five
years ago through the healing of my wife of what the
doctors called consumption in its last stages. I had tried
everything that I could get in the way of materia medica,
and every doctor would tell me nearly the same story
about the case. At last they recommended for her only
a higher, drier climate, and when she would be at her
worst to give her something to quiet her.
623:18
I tried different climates, but she was no better,
indeed worse. At last she struggled along until the
first of March, 1899. She had taken to her bed again.
For two days and nights she suffered, and I called a
physician. He came and diagnosed the case, and said
that he could do nothing for her but give her some
morphine tablets to make her rest. I gave her two
of them according to direction, and just before the
time to give her the third, she called me to her bed-
side, and said, "Don't give me any more of that stuff,
for it does me more harm than good," so I turned and
placed them in the fire, though I did not then know any-
thing about Christian Science. We had heard of it, but
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that was all. I gave her the last tablet at eight o'clock
that night, and about nine o'clock the next day a lady
who had been healed in Christian Science visited her,
and introduced her to this great truth. She accepted it
and thought she would try it. The lady loaned her Sci-
ence and Health. She got the book about ten o'clock
that day and read it until dinner was called. She ate a
hearty dinner, the first in about three days, and that same
evening she dressed herself, walked into the dining-room,
ate a hearty supper and enjoyed it. She slept well that
night. She borrowed this lady's copy of Science and
Health two hours each day for eight days, and was
healed. The first day that she read Science and Health
she weighed about ninety-five pounds. Three months
later she weighed one hundred and thirty-five pounds. –
A. J. D., Houston, Tex.
624:17
A PROFITABLE STUDY
624:18
It may help others to know that some one was really
healed of severe illness through Christian Science. It
is over nine years since we first became interested in
the Science, and it would be hard to find a healthier
person than I am now. I can go all day, from morn-
ing till night, upheld by the thought that "they that
wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength." I
can truly say that I scarcely know what physical wear-
iness is any more. Before I came into Science the
physicians said that one lung was gone, and that the
other was affected with tuberculosis; so, from their
standpoint, there was little left for me to hope for. We
had tried every remedy that they had suggested. I had
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gone to the mountains, but could not stay there on account
of the altitude; and when they did not know what else
to do, they said we would better go to England – that
the ocean air would be beneficial. So we spent three
months in the British Isles, and when I came back I
seemed much better, but this only lasted a short time.
In little more than a month I was worse than ever, and
my mother was told that I had but a few weeks, or at
most months, to live.
625:10
At that time, a lady, a stranger to us, suggested that
we try Christian Science. There was no prejudice against
it, as we did not even know what it was. We knew of
no Scientists in the Western town where we were living,
and when we were told that we could send to Kansas City
for absent treatment, we thought it was absurd. We were
then told that many people had been healed through the
reading of the Christian Science textbook, Science and
Health, and to us this seemed a little worse than the
absent treatment, but as we had tried everything we
had heard of up to that time, my mother sent for the
book.
625:22
It came in the middle of October and we began to read
it together. It seemed to me from the first that it was
something I had always believed, but did not know how
to express – it seemed such a natural thing. My im-
provement was very gradual, but I felt I was recovering.
After the Christmas holidays I started in at school and
went the whole term without missing a day, – some-
thing I had never done before. I finished my school
course without missing a day – in fact, I have not spent
a day in bed since that time. I feel absolutely certain
that I have two sound, healthy lungs now. The hollows
626:1
in my chest have filled out, and I breathe perfectly on both
sides; rarely have a cold to meet, and have not a sign of
a cough.
626:4
People sometimes say, "Oh, well, maybe you never had
consumption." Well, I had all the symptoms, and they
are every one gone through the reading of Science and
Health. – E. L. B., Chicago, Ill.
626:8
HEALED OF INFIDELITY AND MANY PHYSICAL ILLS
626:9
I feel compelled to write my testimony and hope that
I may be accepted as one more witness to the Truth as con-
tained in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.
626:12
In the year 1883 I first heard of Christian Science. I
was sitting in a saloon in Leadville, Col., reading a daily
paper of that place. My eyes lighted upon an article
which spoke of some peculiar people in Boston who
claimed to have discovered how to heal as Jesus healed.
I do not remember much of the article, but those words
stayed with me.
626:19
I had drifted out to Colorado from New York City (my
home), where I had been under the treatment of many
leading physicians. The last one, who was too honest
to take my money knowing that he could not cure me,
advised me to keep away from doctors and quit taking
medicine, as nothing but death could cure me. My
trouble was pronounced by some to be Bright's disease,
by others gravel on the kidneys with very acute inflam-
mation of the bladder and prostate gland.
626:28
In the spring of 1888 my wife and myself were spend-
ing the evening at the house of a gentleman whose wife
had been healed in the East by Christian Science. The
627:1
gentleman took a book from its bookcase saying, "Here
is a work on Christian Science." It proved to be Science
and Health. I knew as soon as I had read the title-page
that this was the very book we wanted. We immediately
sent for the book, and when it arrived we obeyed the angel
and feasted on it. I was very much prejudiced against
the Bible, and my first demonstration over self was to
consent to read the four Gospels. My wife bought me a
New Testament and I began to read it. What a change
came over me! All my prejudice was gone in an instant!
When I read the Master's words, I caught his meaning
and the lesson he tried to convey. It was not difficult for
me to accept the whole Bible, for I could not help myself,
I was just captured. The disease with which I had been
troubled for years tormented me worse than ever for
about six months, as if trying to turn me aside; but I lost
all fear of it.
627:18
I kept up my study of Science and Health and the dis-
ease disappeared. I can honestly say that Science and
Health was my only healer, and it has been my only
teacher. – R. A. C., Los Angeles, Cal.
627:22
DISEASED EYES CURED
627:23
Christian Science came to me when I was a wreck, my
body being completely covered with sores. My eyes were
very bad, so that I sat in a darkened room for weeks to-
gether, most of the time in bed under opiates. The home
doctor and a specialist said the disease of the eyes could not
be cured, though they might help me for a while. I had
one operation, and the doctor said if I took cold I would
become totally blind. My suffering was beyond telling.
628:1
A clergyman called almost every day, and sat by my bed
and wept, and my good, kind doctor shed tears many times.
Finally, after a year of this terrible suffering, I was sent
to Indiana, to a sister who had been healed of lung trouble
by Christian Science. The first day I was there she read
to me from the Bible and from "Science and Health with
Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, and I was healed.
I knew that God was no respecter of persons, and when I
saw what had been done for my sister, who was changed
from being a mere frame to a strong, robust, healthy, rosy-
cheeked woman, the cough all gone, I said, "God has as
much for me, if I will accept it." I was healed instan-
taneously by Christian Science, and am thankful to God
for giving us this understanding through Mrs. Eddy,
our beloved Leader. I am now in perfect health. –
Mrs. F. S., Laurel, Miss.
628:17
THE TEXTBOOK HEALED ME
628:18
For twelve years previous to the fall of 1897 I had been
under the care of a physician much of the time. Different
opinions were given by them, as to the nature of the trouble,
some diagnosing it as an abnormal growth, etc. I was
healed through reading "Science and Health with Key to
the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy. It was a clear case of
transformation of the body by the renewal of the mind.
I am perfectly well at the present time. – J. M. H.,
Omaha, Neb.
628:27
OBSTINATE STOMACH TROUBLE HEALED
628:28
There is no doubt that by far the greater number come
to Christian Science by the way of physical healing, but
629:1
there are those to whom this does not particularly appeal.
In the hope that it may be of benefit to some such, and in
gratitude for help received, I submit my own experience.
Three years ago I knew nothing of Christian Science, aside
from the knowledge gathered from the daily papers and
current literature. When I thought of the subject at all,
it was to class Christian Science with various human the-
ories with which I could not be in sympathy, for they
seemed to rely upon both good and evil. I had never
known of a case of healing, had never read the textbook
or heard of the Journal or Sentinel, but I would sometimes
see people going into the Christian Science church. I was
tired of trying to find anything satisfactory in religious
belief, for it seemed as if God either could not or would
not bring into harmony the terrible conditions existing in
human society. I had quit using any form of prayer ex-
cept the Lord's Prayer, and even then omitted the words
"lead us not into temptation." How I longed to know
just a little of the "why?" and "wherefore?" of it all.
629:20
Here is where Christian Science found me. I was
thrown in contact with a dear friend of whom I had seen
very little for a year or more, a thoroughly educated woman
and a thinker. She told me she had taken some treatments
in Christian Science for a physical trouble, and had be-
come very much interested in the study of "Science and
Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy. She
asked me if I would like to look at the book, and I said I
I would be glad to do so. The first chapter, "Prayer,"
appealed to me from the first, and when I came to Mrs.
Eddy's spiritual sense of the Lord's Prayer (Science and
Health, p. 17), my interest was fully aroused. I knew
that in a dim way I was learning what it means to "pray
630:1
without ceasing." Very soon I bought a book of my own,
and with the help of our Lesson-Sermons, as given in the
Quarterly, I began in earnest the study of Science and
Health, in connection with the Bible.
630:5
I stood very much in need of physical healing at this
time, having suffered for several years from an obstinate
form of stomach trouble. So far as I know, I gave no
thought to the benefits I might derive physically from the
study, but I did believe this Science held the truth of things,
and I was so absorbed in getting an understanding of the
Principle that I thought very little of myself. After about
three or four months' study I realized that the stomach
trouble was gone, and with it went other physical troubles,
which have never returned. This healing was brought
about by the earnest, conscientious seeking for the truth,
as contained in the Bible and interpreted by our Leader
in our textbook, Science and Health. I have since learned
more of the Science of healing and have been able in a
small way to help others in need. I have also learned
that in living and loving is healing realized, and in reflect-
ing divine Love I have the "signs following."
630:22
When we think of the pure, loving, unselfish life Mrs.
Eddy must have lived in order to become conscious of this
truth and give it to us, words are a poor medium through
which to express the gratitude which her followers feel for
her. It is best expressed by obediently following her, even
as she is following Christ. – H. T., Omaha, Neb.
630:28
DYSPEPSIA QUICKLY HEALED
630:29
It has occurred to me that I have had ample time to
meditate on the many blessings which I have received
631:1
through Christian Science, as it is now more than six
years since I was entirely healed of dyspepsia as well as
constipation in its worst form by the reading of Science
and Health. So aggravated were the conditions that for
three years or more I was unable to drink a glass of cold
water. Everything that I drank had to be hot, and my
only means of relief from the bowel trouble was hot water
injections, for a period of more than three years.
631:9
I can truthfully say that I was permanently, and I might
say instantly, healed of those two ailments by reading
Science and Health as before stated, and in fact I do not
think I had read more than thirty pages of this book when
I ignored entirely the most rigid kind of diet. I ate and
drank everything I wished without a single harmful effect
from that time to this date, and there has not been a drop
of medicine in our home for more than six years, in a fam-
ily of five.
631:18
I have also seen the power of Truth manifested in our
home by having our youngest child relieved of the most
excruciating pain, and changed to his most playful mood,
immediately upon notifying one of the faithful practi-
tioners of this city. For all this I am endeavoring to be
thankful to God and to our faithful Leader, Mrs. Eddy,
whose pure and undefiled life enabled her to discover this
precious truth for the benefit of all mankind. – M. C.
McK., Denver, Col.
631:27
AFTER TWENTY YEARS' SUFFERING
631:28
From early girlhood I was considered an invalid, hav-
ing been injured by a hard fall while playing. The pain
was intense for some time and for several hours I was un-
632:1
able to walk or stand alone. Later, a growing weakness
of the back accompanied with sharp pains alarmed my
parents, who called a physician, and he pronounced it
spinal trouble. Then followed nearly twenty years of
increased suffering, at times very severe. As years went
by and I became a wife and mother, my suffering in-
creased. Everything that medical skill could do was
done, but finding no lasting benefit from anything, I lost
hope of recovery.
632:10
When Christian Science found me I was under the
doctor's sentence that if I lived the week through I would
become entirely helpless, not able to move hand or foot.
My husband was a travelling man, and being urgently
called home, he met an old friend on the train who asked
why we did not try Christian Science. The reply, We
know nothing of it, was followed by a brief explanation
of its healing power and the benefit his family had re-
ceived. This inspired my husband with new hope, and
on his arrival at home he called on a practitioner, who
recommended our getting Science and Health, which we
did, but ignorance and the prejudice of old education
produced such fear that I hid the book under the covers
of the bed whenever the children came into the room,
fearing that it was not of God and would injure them.
God's dear love was, however, more potent than these
foolish fears, and the first day I read from its sacred pages
I was convinced its teachings were the same truths as
Jesus Christ had taught centuries ago. When I had read
a few pages, I reached out and threw my medicine from the
open window at the head of my bed. I then turned back to
the book and began reading again, when, lo, the Christ-idea
dawned upon me, and I was healed instantaneously.
633:1
I first noticed the spot in my back cooling, and soon
I got out of bed. I continued to read eagerly; I felt as
if I wanted to devour the healing truth, and drank it in
as a thirsty plant does the gentle rain. When dinner was
prepared, I walked out and ate a hearty meal with the
family, to the amazement of all. We shall never forget
what a joyful meal this was. How we did thank God
for Christian Science!
633:9
As year after year has gone by, till twenty years have
passed and the healing has remained perfect, I have
grown to thank God with deeper sincerity that one brave
woman was found pure enough to bring forth this Christ‑
healing again, to remain forever among men and to save
suffering humanity from all disease and sin. – Mrs.
P. L. H., Fairmont, Minn.
633:16
FROM DESPAIR TO HOPE AND JOY
633:17
I have often had a desire to make public what Chris-
tian Science has done for me, but I never could tell of
all my blessings, they are so many. From childhood
I was always sick, never knew one hour of rest, and was
under the doctor's care most of the time. I was living in
the East at that time, and was advised to try change of
climate, which I did. I came West with my family in
the spring of the year, but instead of growing better I
grew steadily worse, until at last I was obliged to keep
my bed for nearly three years, – a great sufferer. My
ailments were, it seemed, all that flesh is heir to, and
were called incurable by the doctors; viz., Bright's dis-
ease, and many others, – in the last stages. My case was
known among physicians, many of whom were prominent
634:1
specialists, as a most extreme one. Many, upon looking
at me, would turn away with a wise shake of the head
and say, "What keeps her alive?" My physicians, who
were exceedingly kind and did all that lay within their
power for me, gave me up and the death sentence was
pronounced on me by all who attended me.
634:7
It was then I realized that "man's extremity is God's
opportunity." The "little book" was handed me at this
hour of great need. I read it, not thinking it would heal
me, but, like a drowning man, I grasped at it. I read it,
read it again, and soon found myself growing stronger;
then I kept on reading and was perfectly healed of all the
supposedly incurable diseases. – L. B., Austin, Minn.
634:14
TRUTH MAKES FREE
634:15
As the son of a physician, a graduate in pharmacy,
and an ex-druggist, I had a perfect contempt for what
I thought Christian Science to be. About six and a half
years ago, however, having exhausted all material means
at my command, – materia medica, electricity, gym-
nastics, cycling, and so on, – and being in a hopeless
state, the study of Christian Science was taken up. I
had been a sufferer from catarrh and sore throat for over
thirty years, and in the last five were added several others,
including dyspepsia, and bronchitis, and a loss in flesh of
sixty pounds. I was completely healed, and regained
health, strength, and flesh through the spiritual under-
standing of Christian Science, the result of about six
weeks' study. This good and perfect gift came to me
through the careful and prayerful study of Christian
Science, as revealed to the world to-day through Science
635:1
and Health. The promise of Christ Jesus, "the truth
shall make you free," was fulfilled, and the past six years
of health and harmony have been spent in striving to
"hold fast that which is good."
635:5
While most grateful for the physical healing, my grati-
tude for the mental and spiritual regeneration is beyond
expression. When I learned that Jesus' mission of heal-
ing sickness as well as sin did not end with his short stay
upon earth, but is practical in all ages, my joy was un-
bounded. Having spent thousands in the old way, it
seemed wonderful to be healed at such small cost as the
price of the "little book" and a few weeks' study. Every
thought of prejudice immediately vanished before the
proofs that Christian Science is indeed the elucidation
and practical application of Jesus' teachings, which are
demonstrable truth, "The same yesterday, and to-day,
and forever." – C. N. C., Memphis, Tenn.
635:18
DEAF EARS UNSTOPPED
635:19
As a mother of a family my heart goes out in love and
gratitude to that good woman we are privileged to call
our Leader, for all she has done through her book for me
and mine.
635:23
Ten years ago I was healed of hereditary deafness and
catarrh of the head, simply through reading the book,
Science and Health. For years previous I had consulted
and taken treatment from some of the best specialists
for the ear and throat, both in England and America,
but grew worse all the time. I was then urged by a lady
who had been healed through Christian Science to buy
this book and study it. I did so very reluctantly, but
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