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

Chapter XVIII - Fruitage

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

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

636:1
had not read fifty pages before I felt I had indeed found

the truth which makes free, and can truly say, from that

time I have never had a return of the ailment.

636:4
That for which I am, however, most grateful, is the

daily help it is to me in my household of young chil-

dren. I am sure if mothers only knew what Christian

Science truly means they would give all they possess

to know it. We have seen croup, measles, fever, and

various other children's complaints, so-called, disappear

like dew before the morning sun, through the applica-

tion of Christian Science, – the understanding of God

as ever-present and omnipotent. It has been proven

to me without a doubt that God is a very present help in

trouble, and what a blessed help this wonderful truth is

in the training of our children, and how quickly the child

grasps it.

636:17
Some time ago my little girl, then three years old,

dislocated her shoulder. I was alone in the house at

the time. The pain was so intense that she became

faint. I treated her the best I knew how, but kept

holding the thought that just as soon as some one came

I would run for help. She seemed to grow worse and

cried very much. I undressed her and tried to twist

the arm into place, but it caused such suffering that I

began to get afraid. Then like a flash came the thought,

What would you do if you were out of the reach of a prac-

titioner? Now is your time to prove God's power and

presence. With these thoughts came such a sense of

calm and trustfulness that I lost all fear. I then asked

the child if I should read to her; she said "Yes, mamma,

read the truth-book." I began reading aloud to her

from Science and Health. In about half an hour I noticed

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