Chapter XVIII - Fruitage
656:1
My condition was then very trying; my eyes, which
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
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
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
has totally disappeared, and I am not addicted to the
use of liquor.
657:3
Christian Science has proved to be an ever-present
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
SEVERE EYE TROUBLE OVERCOME
657:13
After hearing Christian Science lightly spoken of,
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