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

 

656:1
My condition was then very trying; my eyes, which
had caused me much trouble since childhood, were
very painful. For these I had been treated by some
of the best specialists in my native land, and after
coming to the United States I had been doctored
much and had worn glasses for four years. I also had
catarrh, for which I had taken much medicine without
being relieved. In addition to this I was an excessive
smoker, using tobacco in some form almost constantly.
I had contracted a smoker's heart, and used liquors
freely.
656:12
The one who brought to me that which I now prize
so highly, was a book agent. I told him that I should
be forced to leave my trade on account of my eyes.
He then told me of having been healed of a cancer,
through Christian Science treatment. He showed me
a copy of Science and Health, which had the signs of
much use, and after being assured that if I did my part
I would be healed of all my diseases, I sent for a copy of
the book.
656:21
My recovery was very rapid, for after reading the
book only three weeks I was completely healed of the
tobacco habit. I will say, in regard to this healing,
that it did not require even as much as a resolution
on my part. I was smoking a cigar, while reading
Science and Health, when all the desire to continue
smoking left me, and I have never had a desire to use
tobacco in any form since then. My eyes were the
next to manifest the influence of the new knowledge
gained, and had soon so far recovered that I could go
about my work with ease, and I have had no more
use for glasses. To-day my heart is normal, the catarrh
657:1
has totally disappeared, and I am not addicted to the
use of liquor.
657:3
Christian Science has proved to be an ever-present
help, not only in overcoming physical ailments, but in
business and daily life. It has also overcome a great
sense of fear. The Bible, which I regarded with
suspicion, has become my guide, and Christianity has
become a sweet reality, because the Christian Science
textbook has indeed been a "Key to the Scriptures" and
has breathed through the Gospel pages a sweet sense of
harmony. – A. F., Sioux City, Iowa.
657:12
SEVERE EYE TROUBLE OVERCOME
657:13
After hearing Christian Science lightly spoken of,
from a Christian pulpit, I decided to go to one of the
services and hear for myself. From infancy I had
been devoted to my church, and as soon as I was old
enough I was ever active in the work. Feeling it to
be my duty to attend every service held in my own
church, I took advantage of the Wednesday evening
meetings. My first visit was not my last, I am thank-
ful to say, for I saw immediately that these people
not only preached Christianity, but practised and lived
it. At that time I was wearing glasses and had worn
them for sixteen years. At times I suffered the most
intense pain, and for this phase of the trouble, one
specialist after another had been consulted. All gave
me very much the same advice; each one urged ex-
treme carefulness and gave me glasses that seemed to
relieve for a time. None of them held out any hope
that my sight would ever be restored, saying that the
658:1
defect had existed since infancy, and that in time I should
be blind.
658:3
The thought of blindness was very distressing to me,
but I tried to bear it with Christian resignation, since
I thought that God had seen fit to afflict me; but since
I have learned that He is a loving Father, who gives
only good, I regret that I ever charged Him with my
affliction. I had no treatment, but I read Science and
Health, and my eyes were healed and glasses laid aside.
I can never find words to express my thanks to our dear
Leader, through whose teachings my sight has been re-
gained. I can truthfully say that "whereas I was blind,
now I see" – through an understanding of Truth I
have found my sight perfect as God gave it. – Miss
B. S., Wilmington, N. C.
658:16
A TESTIMONY FROM IRELAND
658:17
It is with a heart full of love and gratitude to God,
and to our dear Leader, that I send this testimony to
the Field. I had never been a strong girl; had always
been subject to colds and chills, and suffered all my
life from a delicate throat. Seven years ago I had a
very severe attack of rheumatic fever and subsequently
two less severe ones. These left all sorts of evils be-
hind them, – debility, chronic constipation, and several
others, so that with these ills my life was often a
burden to me and I used to think I never should re-
ceive relief or health. I had also lost all love for
God and faith in Him. I could not accept a God who,
as I then believed, visited sickness and sorrow upon
His children as a means for drawing them to Him.
659:1
I was in this state of mind and body when Christian
Science found me. A dear friend, seeing my suffering,
presented the truth to me, and though at first I did not
believe that there could be healing for me, the Chris-
tian Scientists' God seemed to be the one I had been
looking for all my life. I began to read Science and
Health, and shall never forget my joy at finding that
I could love and trust God. I took to studying the
Bible, and read nothing but Science and Health and
other Christian Science literature for a year. After
studying the "little book" for about six weeks, I one
day realized that I was a well woman, that I had taken
no medicine for three weeks, and that my body was
perfectly harmonious. The reading of Science and
Health had healed me. The wonderful joy and spirit-
ual uplifting which came to me then no words of mine
can describe. I had also suffered from astigmatism
and had for several years been obliged to use special
glasses when reading or working, and could never use
my eyes for more than half an hour; but from the first
reading of Science and Health I found that I could read
in any light and for any length of time without the slight-
est discomfort. I am not only grateful for the physi-
cal healing but for the mental regeneration. I rejoice
that I am now able to help others who are sick and sor-
rowing. – E. E. L., Curragh Camp, County Kildare,
Ireland.
659:28
THE TEXTBOOK MAKES OPERATION UNNECESSARY
659:29
In the early part of the year 1895 my physician said I
must undergo a surgical operation in order ever to be well.
660:1
While in great fear, and dreading the operation, a kind
neighbor called, and after telling me of Christian Science
gave me a copy of Science and Health. She said I must
put aside all medicine, and by reading faithfully she knew
I could be healed. The book became my constant com-
panion, and in a short time I was healed. Besides the
relief from an operation, I was completely healed of severe
headaches and stomach trouble. Physicians could give
me no help for either of these ailments. For ten years I
have not used medicine of any kind, and have not missed
a Christian Science service on account of sickness during
this period. I am perfectly well. To say that I am grate-
ful to God for all this does not express my feelings. The
physical healing was wonderful, but the understanding
given me of God, and the ability to help others out-
weigh all else. I also love our dear Leader. – Mrs.
V. I. B., Concord, N. H.
660:18
KIDNEY DISEASE AND EYE TROUBLE HEALED
660:19
Early in 1904 I was teaching in a private boarding‑
school. I was a very unhappy, discontented woman; I
had kidney disease, besides sore eyes, and my general
health was very bad. The doctor said that the climate
did not suit me, and that I certainly should have a change.
The best thing, he said, was to go back to France (my
own country); but I did not like to leave the school, so I
struggled on until July, when we went travelling for a
month, but I came home worse than ever. I had a lot
of worry, one disappointment after another, and I often
thought that life was not worth living. In September,
1904, we heard for the first time of Christian Science
661:1
through a girl who was attending our boarding-school,
and who was healed through Christian Science treatment.
We bought the textbook, "Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, and what a revelation
it was and is to us; it is indeed the fountain of Truth. I
had read Science and Health but a very short time when
I took off my glasses, began to sleep well, and soon found
myself well in mind and body. Besides this, it has brought
harmony into our school, where there had been discord,
and everything is changed for the better. I cannot de-
scribe the happiness that has come to me through Chris-
tian Science; I can only exclaim with the psalmist: "Bless
the Lord, O my soul;" and may God bless Mrs. Eddy.
661:14
My one aim now is to live Christian Science, not in words
only, but in deeds; loving God more and my neighbor as
myself, and following meekly and obediently all our
Leader's teachings. Words cannot express my gratitude
to Mrs. Eddy for Christian Science. – S. A. K., Van-
couver, B. C.
661:20
DISEASE OF BOWELS HEALED
661:21
When I first heard of Christian Science I had been
afflicted for nine years with a very painful disease of the
bowels, which four physicians failed even to diagnose,
all giving different causes for the dreadful sufferings I
endured. The last physician advised me to take no more
medicine for these attacks, as drugs would not reach the
cause, or do any good. About this time I heard of
Christian Science, and had the opportunity of reading
"Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs.
Eddy, a few minutes every day for about a week, and I
662:1
was thereby healed. In looking back I found I had not
suffered in the least from the time I began reading this
book. It has been nearly seventeen years since this won-
derful healing, and I have had no return of the disease.
My gratitude is endless and can be best expressed by
striving mightily to walk in the path our Leader has so
lovingly shown us in Science and Health. – Mrs.
J. W. C., Scranton, Pa.
662:9
HEALED BY READING THE TEXTBOOK
662:10
After doctoring about a year, I was obliged to give
up school and was under medical care for two years;
but grew worse instead of better. I was then taken to
specialists, who pronounced my case incurable, saying
I was in the last stages of kidney disease and could
live only a short time. Shortly afterward my uncle
gave me a copy of "Science and Health with Key to
the Scriptures," and asked me to study it. After study-
ing a short time I was able to walk a distance of several
miles, which I had not been able to do for three years.
I also laid aside glasses which I had worn seven years,
having been told I would become blind if my eyes did
not receive proper care. It is over a year since I re-
ceived God's blessing, and I am now enjoying perfect
health and happiness. I have never had my glasses on
since I first began reading Science and Health, and I have
not used any medicine. – L. R., Spring Valley, Minn.
662:27
A TESTIMONY FROM SCOTLAND
662:28
I came to Christian Science purely for physical healing.
I was very ill and unhappy; very cynical and disbeliev-
ing in regard to what I heard of God and religion.
663:1
I tried to live my life in my own way and put religion
aside. I was a great believer in fate and in will-power,
and thought to put them in the place of God, with
the consequence that I was led to do many rash and
foolish things. I am now thankful to say that my out-
look on life is entirely changed; I have proved God's
wisdom and goodness so often that I am willing and
thankful to know my future is in His hands and that
all things must work out for the best. I have found a
God whom I can love and worship with my whole
heart, and I now read my Bible with interest and
understanding.
663:13
I was healed of very bad rheumatism simply by read-
ing Science and Health. I had tried many medicines,
also massage, with no result, and the doctors told me
that I would always suffer from this disease, as it
was inherited, and also because I had rheumatic fever
when a child. I suffered day and night, and nothing
relieved me until Science proved to me the falseness
of this belief by removing it. I gave up all the medi-
cines I was taking and have never touched any since,
and that is more than two years ago. Before this I
had often tried to do without a medicine that I had
taken every day for ten years, but was always ill and had
to return to it, until I found out that one Mind is the only
medicine, and then I was freed from the suffering.
663:27
I had also suffered constantly from bilious attacks,
colds, and a weak chest, and had been warned not to
be out in wet weather, etc., but now, I am glad to say,
I am quite free from all those material laws and go
out in all sorts of weather. – R. D. F., Edinburgh,
Scotland.
664:1
CURING BETTER THAN ENDURING
664:2
For eight years I was a great sufferer from weak
lungs and after being treated by ten different physi-
cians, in the States of Illinois, Missouri, and Colo-
rado, I was told there was no hope of my recovery
from what they pronounced tuberculosis, which was
hereditary, my father having been afflicted with it. I
was greatly emaciated and hardly able to be about.
My general condition was aggravated by what the doc-
tors said was paralysis of the bowels. Three physi-
cians so diagnosed it at different times, and assured
my husband that I could never get more than tem-
porary relief. This indeed I found difficult to obtain,
in spite of my almost frantic efforts. At times I was
nearly insane from suffering, and after eight years of
doctoring I found myself steadily growing worse. For
four years I did not have a normal action of the bowels,
and it was only by extreme effort and by resort to pow-
erful drugs or mechanical means, with resultant suffering,
that any action whatever could be brought about.
664:21
I had heard nothing of the curative power of Chris-
tian Science, and only to oblige a friend I went one
night, about three years ago, to one of their mid-week
testimonial meetings, in Boulder, Colorado. I was much
impressed by what I heard there, and determined at once
to investigate this strange religion, in the hope that it
might have something good for me. I bought the text-
book, Science and Health, and from the first I found
myself growing stronger and better, both physically and
mentally, as I acquired a better understanding and en-
deavored toput into practice what I learned. In one week
665:1
I was able to get along better without drugs than I had for
years with them, and before three months had passed I
was better than I had been any time in my life, for I
had always suffered more or less from bowel trouble.
Since that time I have taken no medicine whatever, and
rely wholly upon Christian Science. My lungs are now
sound, my bowels normally active, my general health
excellent, and I am able to endure without fatigue
tasks that before would have prostrated me. The
study of our textbook was the sole means of my healing.
– L. M. St. C., Matachin, Canal Zone, Panama.
665:12
SEVERE ECZEMA DESTROYED
665:13
It is only two years since I came from darkness into
the light of Christian Science, and to me the spiritual
uplifting has been wonderful, to say nothing of the
physical healing. Words cannot express my gratitude
for benefits I have received in that time. For five
years I suffered with that dreaded disease, eczema, all
over my body. Five doctors said there was no help
for me. The suffering seemed as terrible as the hell
fire that I had been taught to believe in. When Christian
Science came to me two years ago through a dear friend,
she gave me a copy of Science and Health and asked
me to read it. I told her that I would, for I was like a
drowning man grasping at a straw. I had been a Bible
student for twenty-eight years, but when I commenced
reading Science and Health with the Bible I was healed
in less than a week. I never had a treatment. A case
of measles was also destroyed in twenty-four hours after
it appeared. – Mrs. M. B. G., Vermilion, Ohio.
666:1
SCIENCE AND HEALTH A PRICELESS BOON
666:2
I am a willing witness to the healing power of Chris-
tian Science, having had a lifetime's battle with dis-
ease and medical experiments. Various doctors finally
admitted that they had exhausted their resources, and
could only offer me palliatives, saying that a cure was
impossible. I had paralysis of the bowels, frequent
sick headaches with unutterable agony, and my mortal
career was nearly brought to an end by a malignant
type of yellow fever. Many were the attending evils of
this physical inharmony, but God confounds the wis-
dom of men, for while studying Science and Health
two years ago, the veil of ignorance was lifted and
perfect health was shown to me to be my real con-
dition, and to such there is no relapse. The constant
use of glasses, which were apparently a necessity to
me for years, was proven needless, and they were laid
aside. Mrs. Eddy has made Scripture reading a never‑
failing well of comfort to me. By her interpretation
"the way of the Lord" is made straight to me and
mine. It aids us in our daily overcoming of the tyr-
anny of the flesh and its rebellion against the blessed
leading of Christ, Truth. The daily study of the Bible
and our textbook is bringing more and more into our con-
sciousness the power of God unto salvation. – J. C.,
Manatee, Fla.
666:27
A CRITIC CONVINCED
666:28
With gratitude to God I acknowledge my lifelong
debt to Christian Science. In 1895 I attended my first
667:1
Christian Science meeting, and was deeply impressed
with the earnestness of the people and the love re-
flected, but as for the spiritual healing of the physical
body, I did not believe such a thing to be possible.
I bought Science and Health and studied it to be
able to dispute intelligently with the supposedly de-
luded followers of Christian Science. I pursued the
study carefully and thoroughly, and I have had abun-
dant reason since to be glad that I did, for through this
study, and the resultant understanding of my rela-
tion to God, I was healed of a disease with which I
had been afflicted since childhood and for which there
was no known remedy. Surely my experience has
been the fulfilling in part of the Scripture:
"He sent His Word and healed them, and delivered them from
their destructions." I believe that Science and Health
reveals the Word referred to by David. – C. A. B. B.,
Kansas City, Mo.
667:19
BORN AGAIN
667:20
It was in April, 1904, that I first heard the "still,
small voice" of the Christ and received healing through
Christian Science; and the blessings have been so
many since, that it would take too much space to
name them. Reared from childhood in an intellectual
atmosphere, my paternal grandfather having been an
orthodox minister of the old school for forty years,
and my father a deep student, ever seeking for the
truth of all things, I began early to ponder and to
study into the meaning of life, and came to the con-
clusion before I was twenty that though God probably
668:1
existed in some remote place, still it was impossible to
connect Him with my present living. My highest
creed, therefore, became, "Do right because it is right
and not for fear of being punished." Then began the
suffering. Sorrow after sorrow followed each other
in rapid succession; for ten long years there was no
rest, the road was indeed long and hard and had no
turning, until finally the one thing that had stood by
me all through the trials, namely, my health, gave
way, and with that went my last hope. But the last
hour of the night had come, the dawn of day was at
hand; a dear friend left Science and Health upon my
piano one day, saying that I would gain much good by
reading it.
668:15
Glad to get away from my own poor thoughts, I
opened the "little book" and began to read. I had
read only a short time when such a wonderful trans-
formation took place! I was renewed; born again.
Mere words cannot tell the story of the mighty up-
lifting that carried me to the very gates of heaven.
When I began to read the book, life was a burden, but
before I had finished reading it the first time, I was doing
all my housework and doing it easily; and since that
glorious day I have been a well woman. My health
is splendid, and I am striving to let my light so shine
that others may be led to the truth. There have been
some mighty struggles with error, and I have learned
that we cannot reach heaven with one long stride or
easily drift inside the gate, but that the "asking" and
the "seeking" and the "knocking" must be earnest and
persistent.
668:32
For a long time I was always looking back to see if
669:1
the error had gone, until one day when I realized
that to catch a glimpse of what spiritual sense means
I must put corporeal sense behind me. I then set to
work in earnest to find the true way. I opened
Science and Health and these words were before me,
"If God were understood, instead of being merely be-
lieved, this understanding would establish health" (p. 203).
I saw that I must get the right understanding of God!
I closed the book and with head bowed in prayer I
waited with longing intensity for some answer. How
long I waited I do not know, but suddenly, like a won-
derful burst of sunlight after a storm, came clearly
this thought, "Be still, and know that I am God." I
held my breath – deep into my hungering thought
sank the infinite meaning of that "I." All self‑
conceit, egotism, selfishness, everything that constitutes
the mortal "I," sank abashed out of sight. I trod, as
it were, on holy ground. Words are inadequate to con-
vey the fullness of that spiritual uplifting, but others
who have had similar experiences will understand.
669:21
From that hour I have had an intelligent consciousness
of the ever-presence of an infinite God who is only good.
– C. B. G., Hudson, Mass.
669:24
A RESTLESS SENSE OF EXISTENCE DESTROYED
669:25
Through reading Science and Health and the illu-
mination which followed, I was healed of ulceration of
the stomach and kindred troubles, a restless sense of
existence, agnosticism, etc. The torture I endured with
the stomach trouble I will not attempt to describe. The
attending physician declared that I could live but a short
670:1
time, and I felt there would be a limit to my endur-
ance of the torture, but the disease was dissipated into
nothingness through Christian Science, which brought
me peace.
670:5
Like many others I had been seemingly lost in the
sea of error, without a compass, yet earnestly and hon-
estly seeking a haven. I had investigated all kinds of
religions and philosophies that came under my notice,
with the exception of Christian Science, which was
not then deemed worthy of inquiry, and yet it held
the very truth I was searching for – the light which
"shineth in the darkness; and the darkness comp-
rehended it not." Three years of stubborn resist-
ance to Truth, with increasing suffering, followed –
then the light came, and with it a new experience.
Now, after nine years of Christian Science experience,
under severe tests, it can be truthfully said that it
has not failed me in any hour of need. – J. F. J.,
Cincinnati, Ohio.
670:20
MORALLY AND PHYSICALLY HEALED
670:21
I did not accept Christian Science on account of any
healing of my own, but after seeing my mother, who was
fast drifting toward helplessness with rheumatism, restored
to perfect health with only a few treatments in Christian
Science, I thought surely this must be the truth as Jesus
taught and practised it, and if so it was what I had been
longing for.
670:28
This was about ten years ago and was the first I had
ever heard of Christian Science. We soon got a copy
of Science and Health and I began in the right way to
671:1
see if Christian Science were the truth. I had no thought
of studying it for bodily healing; in fact, I did not think
I needed it for that, but my soul cried out for something
I had not yet found. This book was indeed a key to the
Scriptures.
671:6
It was not long after I began reading before I dis-
covered that my eyes were good and strong, I could
read as much as I wished, and at any time, which was
something I could not do before, as my eyes had always
been weak. The doctors said they never would be very
strong, and that if I did not wear glasses, I might lose
my sight altogether. I never gave up to wearing glasses,
and now, thanks to Christian Science, I do not need them,
my work for the past two years as a railway mail clerk
being a good test. At the same time my eyes were healed,
I also noticed that I was entirely healed of another ail-
ment which had been with me all my life, and which was
believed to be inherited. Since that time my growth
has seemed to me slow, yet when I look back and view
myself as I was before Christian Science found me, and
compare it with my life as it now is, I can only close my
eyes to the picture and rejoice that I have been "born
again" and that I have daily been putting off "the
old man with his deeds," and putting on "the new
man."
671:26
Some of the many things that have been overcome
through the study of Science and Health, and through
realizing and practising the truth it teaches, are pro-
fanity, the use of tobacco, a very quick temper, which
made both myself and those around me at times very
miserable, and such thoughts as malice, revenge, etc. –
O. L. R., Fort Worth, Tex.
672:1
HEALTH AND UNDERSTANDING GAINED
672:2
Most of my boyhood days were spent in the hands
of physicians. From birth I was considered a very
weakly child, but my mother was brave, and being
much devoted to me did everything within her knowl-
edge and power for my comfort. Sickness and medi-
cine were continually before me, and by the time I
reached my teens I thought I knew a material remedy
for every ill. I continued in my delusion, because I
was never told the real cause of my trouble. Besides
being under a leading specialist for two years, I was
also an outdoor patient at a noted hospital, but I was
not healed. It is wonderful how the "little ones" are
cared for in the face of all these seeming difficulties.
I always used the prayers that I had been taught, and
as I grew older I began to ask for wisdom. Little by
little I gained a desire for freedom, and my prayers
finally led me to the truth. The first week that I
heard of Christian Science, I visited the home of dear
Christian Science friends, and was at once refreshed
by their purity of thought and example. I bought
a copy of Science and Health, and, after studying it
a little while with the Bible, I saw that if the Bible
was true, Science and Health must also be true. I
began to demonstrate over my physical and mental
condition, and as soon as the fear and pain began
to leave me I felt encouraged to go on. I was healed,
and stopped complaining. I kept on studying our
textbook, and when I got an understanding in a
small degree of the Science of Mind, my first thought
was to help others. I was guided where I could pro-
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