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

 

614:1
Just before I commenced reading Science and Health
I spent a half day in having my eyes examined by one
of the leading oculists in Boston. His verdict was that
my eyes were in a dreadful condition, and that I would
always need to wear glasses. In the meantime I com-
menced to read Science and Health, and when I thought
of my eyes, I had no need for glasses. The years that
I have been in Science I have used my eyes incessantly,
night as well as day, doing all kinds of trying work and
without requiring the aid of glasses. I was healed of
all my complaints whilst seeking the truth for my child,
and many of them have never returned. Those that
appeared simply came to the surface to be destroyed.
Teeth have been restored and facial blemishes re-
moved, unconsciously, simply by reading Science and
Health. All of this is, however, nothing to compare
with the spiritual uplifting which I have received,
and I have everything to be thankful for. – M. T. W., Los
Angeles, Cal.
614:20
INTENSE SUFFERING OVERCOME
614:21
For about five years I was afflicted with sciatic rheu-
matism, in such a severe form that my body was drawn
out of shape. When able to be around, I walked with
the assistance of a cane. The attacks were periodical,
recurring every few months; any exposure to rain or
dampness would bring one. At one time I was in bed
eleven weeks, suffering intensely all the time except when
relieved by hypodermic injections. When I had these
attacks, my regular physician was always in attendance.
My daughter consulted another physician, who said there
615:1
would have to be an operation which would include
the exposing and scraping of the sciatic nerve. There
was also another physician who, knowing of the case,
examined my heart and claimed that it was weak and
that I was liable to pass on at any time from heart
trouble.
615:7
After suffering three years I heard of Christian Science,
but did not avail myself of it for two years, when I de-
cided to give up all other means and rely wholly upon
it. It was not convenient to call a practitioner, so I took
Science and Health and applied its teachings as best
I could. In three days the trouble completely left
me and there has never been the slightest return. My
health has been good ever since, and I am at present
in perfect physical health. I have been benefited in
every way by Christian Science, physically, mentally, and
spiritually, and would not be without my understand-
ing of it for anything. – Mrs. E. A. K., Billings,
Mont.
615:20
HEALED OF RHEUMATISM AND BRIGHT'S DISEASE
615:21
I am very thankful to God for what He has done for
me. I was suddenly left alone, with many troubles
and trials, and I took up the study of the Bible. I
was trying to understand it, prior to joining some
church, as it seemed to me this would be expected. I
had attended all sorts of churches from my childhood
up, but never could find any that met my need. As
time passed on, my condition became very alarming.
Sciatic rheumatism, that had troubled me for some
years, became so severe I could scarcely do anything.
616:1
Then there appeared some complications, so distressing
that I was unable to walk far, and had to sit down fre-
quently by the way. I thought I had Bright's disease, –
such excruciating pains, no tongue could tell my suffer-
ings. With all these things upon me, death seemed very
near. I had never joined any church, and I thought it
now too late, as I would have to wait six months on pro-
bation, and I would be dead before that.
616:9
About this time I made some inquiries of my sister in
reference to Christian Science, as she had already turned to
that faith, and I soon found that it was just what I had
been looking for. I saw at once that it declared the truth
and nothing but the truth. I commenced reading Science
and Health, also the New Testament. I wanted to find
out what Jesus said, as I did not expect then to live long.
I did not go to the meetings, nor did I read Science and
Health to be cured, – not thinking of that, – but to be
saved from an everlasting hell hereafter. My sister urged
me to have a practitioner, but I kept on reading, and
praying to God in silence, and what happened? Where
had the diseases gone? I persisted in reading Science
and Health, together with the Bible, with the knowl-
edge that God as revealed by Christ Jesus can do
everything, that He made everything that was made,
that He can and does heal the afflicted. He has healed
me, thanks to His most holy name. – G. J. H., Charles-
ton, Ill.
616:28
GRATEFUL FOR MANY BLESSINGS
616:29
In the year 1901, Christian Science found me a hope-
less invalid. I had suffered for seven years previous with
a very painful back, the result of an operation. I could
617:1
get no rest or sleep at night, as I could not lie down, but
had to sit propped in a chair with pillows around me.
Only those who have suffered as I did can know the full
misery of it. I had come to the end of material means
and never hoped to get well. One day, however, while
out walking, it was my good fortune to come to a Christian
Scientist's house, and there the teaching was explained
to me. I was advised to buy Science and Health, which
I did, and the study of this book has healed my back en-
tirely. Christian Science has also cured me of long-
standing catarrh of the throat, and neuralgia with which
I had been afflicted from childhood. Before coming into
Science I had doctored with three of the best physicians
in Seattle, but none could give me relief.
617:15
I am no longer a sufferer, but rejoice exceedingly in
Christian Science. God's promise has been fulfilled to
me, "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of
righteousness arise with healing in his wings." – E. O.,
Georgetown, Wash.
617:20
FREED FROM NEURASTHENIC AND OTHER TROUBLES
617:21
Christian Science found in me a minister's son who
had failed to profit by continuous teaching in the old
thought. Some years ago I was pronounced by a pro-
fessor of materia medica, whose works are in general use,
a neurasthenic. I had been in this condition more or less
for eight years, and up to two years ago, when Christian
Science was first brought to my attention (thanks to Al-
mighty God) through a kind friend, I was almost con-
stantly taking medicine and had in all eleven physicians
who undoubtedly did their best, but without avail, not-
618:1
withstanding almost all known drugs were prescribed,
and further I had tried very many patent medicines. I
was also put through forms of hygienic treatment and
other things that offered inducements. At the time of
coming into Science I was taking three times daily forty
minims of cod-liver oil and three of creosote, also three
drops of Fowler's solution of arsenic, and on the month
or so previous had bought eighteen dollars' worth of
patent medicine. I was restricted to the simplest means
of diet, – all stews, fries, sweets, berries, and tomatoes I
had not touched for two years.
618:12
I started to read Science and Health, and before I had
half finished the book once I was eating everything that
any one does. I read the book eleven times straight
ahead and many times skipping about. The book
has done the work and I am a well man. – C. E. M.,
Philadelphia, Pa.
618:18
MANY ILLS OVERCOME
618:19
I have received much help, spiritually and physically,
through Christian Science. I had what the doctors
diagnosed as muscular rheumatism, dropsy, and con-
stipation of thirty years' standing. A dear friend whom
I had known as an invalid had been healed by Christian
Science and advised me to read Science and Health. I
did so, having a desire to know the truth. One of my
troubles was that I could not sleep. I began reading the
Bible and the Christian Science textbook, and troubles
of every kind disappeared before I had read Science and
Health through. The thought came, What about the
old remedies? but truth prevailed, and I took all the
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.
619:9
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
620:1
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
620:19
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
621:1
of spiritual understanding, until I know that my mind is
renewed, because the action is changed and the inflam-
mation has abated.
621:4
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
622:1
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
624:1
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
625:1
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
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