Chapter 18: 'Science and Health with Key to The Scriptures' by Mary Baker Eddy

Chapter XVIII - Fruitage

681:1
which I ate, and shortly after I had a hearty dinner with-

out the least complaint from my stomach.

681:3
From that time until now I have eaten anything that I

wished, and the craving for cigarettes, which I had for

many years, has entirely vanished. The understanding

of Truth, which entirely relieved the diseased stomach,

healed also the morbid appetite for smoking. After

coming back East, I bought a copy of Science and Health,

which I have read daily, and find it a continual help in

all the affairs of life.

681:11
In my home and at work I find this Science a com-

fort and source of strength. I have had many difficulties

in the way, but it has helped me out of them all. – W. E.

B., New Britain, Conn.

681:15
SPINAL DISEASE HEALED

681:16
When I first heard of Christian Science, seven years

ago, I supposed that it was some old fad under a new

name. In the little Texas town where we then lived

there were two or three Christian Scientists who met

at the home of one of their number to read the Lesson‑

Sermon. Meeting one of them one day, I asked if un-

believers could come to their meetings. She said that

they could if they wanted to. I went, expecting them

to do something that I could laugh at when telling my

friends about it. How surprised I was to find out that

they didn't do anything but read the Bible and another

book which they called Science and Health. I still

thought it all foolishness, but resolved to go to their meet-

ings until I found out all they believed. I continued to

go until I began to understand a little of what they knew,

682:1
not what they believed; and instead of spending my

time telling others what a silly thing Christian Science

is, I am now trying to find words to tell what a great

and wonderful thing it is. I have been healed of so‑

called incurable spinal disease of ten years' standing

by studying the Bible and Science and Health. Science

and Health has been my only teacher, and I wish to send

my thanks to our dear Leader.

682:9
There are no other Scientists near where we now live,

but I have the Quarterly and study the lessons by myself.

I have five small children, and Christian Science is in-

valuable to me in controlling them, and in overcoming

their common ills. They often help themselves and

each other to destroy their little hurts and fears. – Mrs.

M. H., Oleta, Okla.

682:16
MANY TROUBLES OVERCOME

682:17
In the second chapter of First Peter, ninth verse, I

read "that ye should show forth the praises of him who

hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous

light." The periodicals so wisely established by our

Leader give us one means of showing forth the praises

of Truth.

682:23
From the darkness of physical pain and weariness into

the light of wholeness and joyousness in work and

living, – from the darkness of a clouded sight into the

light of clearer vision, – from the darkness of doubt

and discord into the marvellous light of the reality of

good, – this is what a reading of the Christian Science

textbook has done for me.

682:30
At the time the book was lent to me, I was teach-

683:1
ing in the public schools of Chicago, and absences from

my work on account of illness were of frequent occurrence.

For five weeks I had been under the care of a specialist

for an organic trouble, and he said I would have to come

as many more months before a cure could be effected.

At this time, Science and Health was brought to my

notice. I never thought of such a thing as being healed

by the reading of the book, but my thought was so changed

that I was healed, not only of the organic trouble, but of

blurred eyesight, fatigue, and a train of other discordant

manifestations. I did not go back to the physician

until four months later to pay my bill (which, by the

way, was more than five times the price of the Science

and Health I had purchased). From the time I read

the book I taught steadily without losing time from my

work. I was helped, too, with my work in many other

ways.

683:18
Through reading the textbook I learned that God has

given us strength to do all we have to do, and that it is

the things we do not have to do (the envying, strife, emu-

lating, vainglorying, and so on) that leave in their wake

fatigue and discord.

683:23
Gratitude to our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy, and

to her faithful students, with whom I afterwards be-

came associated, can be expressed only by daily efforts

to put into practice what has been taught. – T. H. A.,

Madison, Wis.

683:28
PREJUDICE OVERCOME

683:29
I became interested in Christian Science somewhat

over three years ago when in much need of help. I

had never been strong, and as I grew older I grew

684:1
weaker and at last became so ill that life was a burden

to me. Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy was sent

to me, in answer to prayer, as I thought. I was a little

afraid of all these new fads, as I thought them, but I

had not read far before I felt that I had found the truth

which makes us free. I was healed of stomach trouble,

inward weakness, and bilious attacks.

684:8
One physician said I might have to undergo an opera-

tion before I could get well, but, thanks to this Truth, I

have found that the only operation needed was the re-

generation of this so-called human mind by learning to

know God. In many cases I have been able to help

myself and others.

684:14
Words cannot express my thanks to Mrs. Eddy, and

to all who are bringing these great truths to the help of

the whole world. – E. E. M., Huntington, W. Va.

684:17
A CONVINCING TESTIMONY

684:18
I became interested in Christian Science some five

years ago, the practical nature of its statements appeal-

ing to me, and I must say, at the outset, that with my

little experience I have found it all and more than I ever

dreamt of realizing on this plane of existence. I am

satisfied that I have found Truth. God is indeed to me

an ever-present help.

684:25
My little girl, some ten months old, was afflicted

with constipation. It was so severe I dreaded to go

out anywhere with her, as I knew not when she would

be taken with a convulsion. I had tried all the usual

remedies in such cases, but it seemed to grow more ob-

stinate. There was a Christian Scientist living in

685:1
the same house with us, a Scientist who let her light

shine, and while she said little, I felt the reflection of

Love. I had no knowledge of the teachings of Chris-

tian Science, save that God was the physician at all

times. In my own way I believed He was all-power-

ful, and I said to my husband one day, "I am through

with medicine for baby. I am just going to leave her

in God's care and see what He will do. I have done

all I can." I did as I said, laid my burden at God's

feet, and did not pick it up again. In two days the

child was perfectly natural, and has since been free

from the trouble. She is now six years of age. Some

months later a second test came. She woke up at nine

o'clock at night crying and holding her ear. There

was to sense a gathering. I was alone. I took up my

Science and Health and Bible, but the more I worked

the louder she screamed. Error kept suggesting ma-

terial remedies, but I said firmly: "No; I shall not go

back to error. God will help me." Just then I thought

of my own fear, how excessive it was, and a conversation

I had with the Scientist who first voiced the truth to me,

came to mind. She said she always found it helpful

to treat herself and cast out her own fear before treat-

ing a patient. I put baby down and again took up

my Science and Health, and these were the words I

read: –

685:27
"Every trial of our faith in God makes us stronger.

The more difficult seems the material condition to be

overcome by Spirit, the stronger should be our faith

and the purer our love. The Apostle John says: 'There

is no fear in Love, but perfect Love casteth out fear'"

(Science and Health, p. 410). I looked up, the crying

686:1
had ceased, the child was smiling, and in a few minutes

asked to be put to bed. There has been no further

trouble of that kind.

686:4
I have since seen the power of Truth overcome error

of many forms, including croup, whooping-cough, ton-

silitis, etc. I am thankful for all these proofs, but far

more grateful am I for the spiritual teaching to love, to

forgive, to curb my tongue, and cease my criticism. –

M. A. H., Brockton, Mass.

686:10
HEALED PHYSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY

686:11
I had been taking medicine continually for many

years. Finally I was taken suddenly ill and could not

leave my room for about two months, then I went away

for three months, thinking that I should come back

and be able to continue my work. I improved very much,

but the fear of quick consumption was with my doctor

and my family and friends, and I was warned about the

coming winter. Only too soon the fear manifested

itself. I had worked just three weeks when all the pains

and aches returned, and I had to go to bed as soon as I

got home, so there was no pleasure in living. My em-

ployer advised me to see my physician, and said perhaps

I should not work that winter. I then and there turned

to Christian Science. I could not afford to give up work

and live away from home, neither did I want to depend

on doctors and medicine any longer. I took the book

and read it on my way to work, and at noon I lay down

on a couch instead of going out for luncheon and fell

asleep. When I awoke I was a different person, all

pains and aches had gone, and I was free. I was so

687:1
happy I could hardly contain myself; to material

sense it was wonderful. As I walked I kept saying,

"Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful," and tried to un-

derstand "the scientific statement of being" by repeat-

ing portions at a time, then pondering over them. I

read the book four times in succession, and every

time I found more and more to aid in the under-

standing.

687:9
This healing was in October, 1901, with no other

help than Science and Health, and soon I was relieved

of other chronic ailments. In February I was able to

put away eyeglasses, which I had worn ten years and

a half for astigmatism. Oculists told me I would always

have to wear them. A month later my father asked

me to help him, as he was suffering so much from con-

stipation, dyspepsia, and neuralgia. He had been sub-

sisting on bran, nearly starving himself until be was most

miserable, and his limbs seemed so cold that they were

kept wrapped in blankets. I felt very humble as he

asked me, and told him I would have a practitioner help

him, as I had never treated any one; but he would not

consent to have any one but myself, and I finally told

him I would try, but that he must not hold Science respon-

sible if he were not benefited, for my lack of understand-

ing, and not Science, would be at fault. At my request

he read Science and Health, ate whatever he wanted,

and used no medicine in any form. After two treat-

ments I received word from him that he was healed

of that bondage of thirty years' standing. In view of

all these signs which followed my acceptance of Chris-

tian Science, I knew it must be true. – R. L. A.,

Chicago, Ill.

688:1
A VOICE FROM THE SOUTH

688:2
I was delicate from childhood, and my parents did

not think it was possible for me to live more than a

few years. I lived, however, although there was not

much improvement in my health. Travel and change

of climate brought only temporary relief, and the physi-

cians gave me no hope that I would ever be well.

688:8
As a last resort I began the study of Science and

Health, and before I had finished reading the book I

realized that its author was divinely commissioned to

bring this spiritual message to a waiting world. Through

this reading my health was restored, and I was healed

of one disease that has been called incurable by all

physicians.

688:15
For this, together with the greater and higher bles-

sing of having the spiritual fact of being unfolded to me,

I am most grateful.

688:18
What shall be rendered for such benefits received and

made possible by the consecrated life of our revered

Leader? Only by following the teachings of our text-

book, and by loving obedience to her gentle and timely

admonitions can we show our true sense of gratitude. –

F. H. D., De Funiak Springs, Fla.

688:24
HEALED AFTER MUCH SUFFERING

688:25
A testimony given in the Journal led me to investi-

gate Christian Science, and I hope in return to be the

means of leading some one else to see the beauty of this

saving truth, and to learn to know God aright and

man's relationship to Him. I know from experience

689:1
that it is prejudice and misapprehension of what Christian

Science is, that keeps many from enjoying the blessings

it bestows.

689:4
I had been taking patent medicines for several years,

and had been to one of the best sanitariums in this country,

but was not healed, although I received some benefit, for

which I shall always feel grateful, for I know the physi-

cians did all they could for me. I sometimes thought

I had exhausted all remedies, but did not give up, for

I felt there must be something to heal me if I could

find it.

689:12
When in this state of mind Christian Science came to

my notice, and after reading several Journals, I pur-

chased a copy of Science and Health. I read for several

days at odd times. I commenced to improve, and in

about a week I was healed of most of my ills, among

which were dyspepsia and nervous debility.

689:18
Although I had heard about Christian Science before,

I had never heard that the reading of the Christian

Science textbook had ever effected the healing of anybody.

I commenced reading to find out what Christian Science

was, but was surprised to find myself improving, and was

soon assured that it was the theology of Science and

Health that healed me, just as it was the theology of

Jesus that healed the sick.

689:26
It has also proved to me that there can be no

Christian Science Church that does not heal the sick

and sinful, for healing follows as the natural result of the

teaching of Christian Science. The Bible has become

a new revelation to me, and I can read it much more

understandingly by the light received through the reading

of Science and Health. – A. F. M., Fairmont, Minn.

690:1
THROUGH GREAT TRIBULATIONS

690:2
When I attempt to make plain what Christian Science

has done for me, words fail me. For twenty years

I was a constant sufferer, my spine having been

injured when I was very young. As a little child I

suffered so much that I would look up to the stars

and beg God, who I thought might be up there

somewhere, to take me away from the earth, – I was

so tired. A great wall of pain seemed to separate me

from the pleasures enjoyed by others, and I could not

explain how I felt, because no one could understand.

Years passed, and I saw my earthly happiness swept

away; my heart was broken and I did not know what

to do. I cried for help, day after day and night after

night, although I was not sure what God was, nor where

He was. I only knew that I suffered, and was

in need of help, and that there was no earthly help

for either mind or body. I loved purity, truth, and

right always, and this made evil seem a most terrible

reality. I was unable to cope with it, and so found

myself in despair. This was my condition when I com-

menced reading Science and Health. I was ready for

its message, and in about ten days there came a won-

derful insight into the truth which heals the sick and

binds up the broken-hearted. All pain left me, I had

a glimpse of the new heavens and the new earth, and

was beginning to be fed by Love divine.

690:28
I had suffered for years with insomnia. That night

I rested like a child, and awoke the next morning well

and happy. A flood of light daily illumined the pages

of the "little book," and the revelation it holds for all

691:1
came to my waiting heart. "The peace which passeth

all understanding" rested upon me, and joy too deep for

words transformed my life. My prayers were answered,

for I had found God in Christian Science.

691:5
The Bible, which I knew very little about, became

my constant study, my joy, and my guide. The copy

which I bought at the time of my healing is marked

from Genesis to Revelation. It was so constantly

in my hands for three years that the cover became

worn and the leaves loose, so it has been laid away

for a new one. Two and three o'clock in the morning

often found me poring over its pages, which grew

more and more sacred to me every day, and the help

I received therefrom was wonderful, for which I can

find no words to express iny gratitude. – I. L., Los

Angeles, Cal.

691:17
A HELPFUL TESTIMONY

691:18
Words cannot express my gratitude to God for

Christian Science. When I first read Science and

Health, I had tried every remedy I had ever heard of.

I felt no change in mind or body that I was conscious

of until I read page 16 of the chapter on "Prayer," in

Science and Health. The first words of the "spiritual

sense of the Lord's Prayer," telling of our Father‑

Mother God, gave me a glimpse of heavenly light. I

stopped and reasoned, and remembered the teachings

of Jesus. The truth of man's spiritual being dawned

on my consciousness. I realized I was not subject to

mortal laws, as I had been taught all my life. I could

not explain how I knew this, but I knew it. Through

Christian Science, Mrs. Eddy had given me what

692:1
I had longed for all my life, – a Mother, a perfect

"Father-Mother God." I had known there was a

great lack, and at that time I believe the orthodox

world had but half of the truth which Jesus came to

establish. When I read, "Give us this day our daily

bread," and its spiritual interpretation, my tears began

to flow; all the years of bitterness, hate, and fear melted

away. I knew then, as I know now, that nothing satisfies

but Love. That day began the outward and inward

conscious healing, – mental and physical. There never

came a doubt! I absolutely knew that Christian Science

was and is the truth. Money, friends, materiality, are

nothing beside the conscious knowledge of God, man,

and the universe.

692:15
I did not need treatment from any one, – Science

and Health was so clear and beautiful. I could not

understand the Bible before, but I found it illumined

now that I had a little understanding of Christian

Science. For ten years I have not had to lie down in

the daytime from any sickness. I am now, and have

been all these years, the picture of perfect health.

When I first read Science and Health I weighed one

hundred and four pounds; I now weigh over one hun-

dred and sixty. This physical health is not to be com-

pared to my happiness, – my harmony that nothing

can take away, – because it is the gift of God. Nothing

has shown me the perversity of the human mind more

than in its conclusions in regard to my healing. Even

when I felt and knew that I was healed, people con-

stantly said, because I was thin and delicate looking,

"You are not well, any one could look at you and know

it." Now that I am fleshy, they say, "You don't look

693:1
as if you ever had a pain in all your life. You could not

have had consumption."

693:3
When I think what my life was before I had Christian

Science, of the six years of colds, suffering, and cough-

ing, not to mention the unhappiness, I want to "work,

watch, and pray" for the Mind of Christ, that I may work

rightly in God's vineyard, and to know that in truth, what

belongs to one belongs to all, – that one God, one Life,

Truth, and Love is all. – A. C. L., Kansas City, Kans.

693:10
DESIRE FOR LIQUOR AND TOBACCO DISAPPEARED

693:11
I first heard of Christian Science four years ago. At

that time drinking and smoking were my comforters. I

had no other companionship. I had lived almost con-

stantly from childhood in an evil atmosphere. Though

I was far from being satisfied with my condition, I failed

to see how to better it until I read Science and Health.

I used occasionally to listen to a sermon, but sermons

did not give me any more comfort than I derived from

my pipe, hence I concluded that church-going could not

satisfy me and I preferred drinking and smoking. When

I began to read Science and Health, I saw it offered some-

thing substantial. After a few months' study all desire

for drinking and smoking disappeared. I did not give

them up; I made no sacrifices, I simply found some-

thing better. I might mention that I had smoked ever

since I can remember. I used to smoke years before I

left school, and, like most Englishmen, loved my pipe, and

would almost prefer to miss a meal rather than to go

without my smoke. I used to think it gave me comfort.

693:30
During my four years' study of Christian Science I

694:1
have not spent a cent for doctors or medicine, neither

have I lost a day from my work on account of sickness,

which compares wonderfully with the previous four years.

I take a great interest and pleasure in reading the Bible

and studying the lessons in the Quarterly. The Bible

used to be a most mysterious book to me, but Science

and Health makes it a most precious book, making its

meaning clearer, plainer, and simpler.

694:9
I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Mrs.

Eddy and to the friend who invited me to attend the ser-

vice held in the Auditorium years ago. I also wish to

acknowledge the benefit I have had from the Journal

and the Sentinel. They have helped me wonderfully. If

the value of Science and Health and these publications

were measured as business men value things, by the

results or benefits they bring, they certainly would be

priceless to me. It would be impossible to measure

their value, as I have got something from Science and

Health that all the money in the world could not buy. –

H. P. H., Chicago, Ill.

694:21
AN EXPRESSION OF LOVING GRATITUDE

694:22
In the spring of 1893, while studying for the minis-

try, Science and Health was placed in my hands, and

the truth contained therein at once became to me the

pearl of great price. I literally devoured the book,

reading it about eighteen hours a day. Its originality

was startling, upsetting my preconceived opinions of

God, man, and creation. Two sentences especially

appealed to me: "The foundation of mortal discord is a

false sense of man's origin" (p. 262), and, "For right

695:1
reasoning, there should be but one fact before the thought,

namely, spiritual existence" (p. 492). I had found the

keynote to the Science of being as taught in this marvel-

lous book, and persevered until a glimpse of the new heav-

ens and new earth came, for the old were passing away.

With this spiritual uplifting came also physical health.

695:7
All my life had been spent in semi-invalidism, and

I seemed destined to a life of suffering. In three

weeks after beginning Science and Health, to my joy-

ful surprise I found myself a well man, sound physi-

cally, and uplifted spiritually. Life was being lived

from a new basis, the old things of personal sense

were passing away and all things becoming new. I

learned that the infinite good is the one Friend upon

whom we can call at all times, an all-powerful, ever‑

present help in every time of trouble; that His children

are really governed in peace and harmony by spiritual

law, and as the right understanding of it is gained, the

other things soon follow, bringing a peace the human

concept can never know.

695:21
For the last twelve years my whole time has been

devoted to Christian Science practice, and I have seen

nearly every so-called incurable disease healed by its

beneficent influence. God bless our dear Leader! She

has set before us an open door, which no man can shut,

and it is but a question of time when the world will know

her better and love her more. – E. E. N., Washington,

D. C.

695:29
HEALED OF BRIGHT'S DISEASE

695:30
August 18, 1902, I was taken down with what three

doctors pronounced Bright's disease, and they stated

696:1
that I would not live a year, or if I did succeed in liv-

ing longer, I would be mentally unbalanced. On Decem-

ber 6, 1902, my wife presented me with Science and

Health as a birthday gift, and it was indeed the

best present I ever received. Since that time I have

been reading it and attending the Second Church

here. I have not used any medicine since, nor has any

one in our home. I am in the finest of health and have

lost all my bad habits. This truth has brought a great

spiritual uplifting to all of us, and words cannot express

my gratitude to Mrs. Eddy and to all who have helped

me to the same. – T. V., Chicago, Ill.

696:13
FIBROID TUMOR DESTROYED

696:14
When quite young I was impressed that the Bible

was not properly interpreted by the preachers, for I

could not conceive of a God of wrath who was unjust

enough to allow His little ones to suffer pain, misery, and

death. I had hope, however, that some day the truth

would be revealed to an awakening world, but little did

I dream that even then there was one of God's noble

women who reflected sufficient purity and holiness to

entertain the "angel of his presence," and commune with

the true God.

696:24
I was believed to be predisposed to scrofula, so that

I was not a strong or attractive child, and my girlhood

and womanhood were scarcely ever free from dread of

the laws of matter and lack of strength. The climax

was reached when a physician informed me, after weeks

of treatment, that I had a fibroid tumor, which required

an operation. The conditions were most trying and I

697:1
was heartsick and discouraged when, in January, 1893,

I heard of Christian Science through a letter from a dear

sister who had been greatly benefited thereby, and I re-

solved to go at once to a practitioner, for I believed it

to be the long-lost truth that would make me free. It

meant a great effort and sacrifice for me to go to Chicago

at that time, but divine Love opened the way and I reached

there in March. I had been in my sister's home but

a few days, reading Science and Health almost con-

stantly, when I asked her if I had not better have

treatment for the tumor, which had given me so much

trouble. She said to me, "You feel well, do you not?"

I assured her that I never had felt so well as I had since

reaching there. "Well," she said with decision, "your

tumor is gone, for God never made it," and her statements

were true, for it has never been heard of from that day.

Since then I have been healed of chronic sore throat,

hay fever, and other troubles, and I know that Christian

Science is the truth. – B. W. S., Coldwater, Mich.

697:21
LIGHT OUT OF DARKNESS

697:22
I have received so much benefit from the testimonies

in the Sentinel and Journal that I send mine, hoping

it may cheer some struggling heart. I was reared by

kind and loving Christian parents and was a member

of an orthodox church for over twenty years, but I was

never satisfied. I was filled with fear and bound down

by the false gods of this world, – sin, disease, and pov-

erty; consequently every way I turned, and in everything

I attempted to do, I was met with disappointment and

failure; but God was leading me into a different life.

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