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

 

638:1
When I began with Science and Health, I read the
chapter on "Prayer" first, and at that time did not sup-
pose it possible for me to remember anything I read,
but felt a sweet sense of God's protection and power,
and a hope that I should at last find Him to be what
I so much needed, – a present help in time of trouble.
Before that chapter on "Prayer" was finished, my daugh-
ter was downstairs eating three meals a day, and daily
growing stronger. Before I had finished reading the
textbook she was well, but never having heard that the
reading of Science and Health healed any one, it was
several months before I gave God the glory.
638:13
One by one my many ailments left me, all but the head-
aches; they were less frequent, until at the end of three
years the fear of them was entirely overcome.
638:16
Neither myself nor my daughter have ever received
treatments, but the study of the Bible and Science and
Health, the Christian Science textbook by Mrs. Eddy,
has healed us and keeps us well.
638:20
While Christian Science was very new to me, I at-
tended an experience meeting in First Church of Christ,
Scientist, Chicago. A gentleman told of an unhappy
woman who was about to separate from her husband.
This gentleman had asked her if she did not love her
husband. She replied, "No; when I married him I
did, but not now." He told her God made man in His
image and likeness, and that He is perfect. He said
to her, "Go home and see only God's perfect man; you
don't need to love a sinful mortal such as you have been
looking upon." The lady followed his advice, as he
told her there is no separation in divine Mind. In a
short time peace and harmony were in her home, and
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both husband and wife became members of a Christian
Science church.
639:3
This testimony was like a message from heaven to me.
I had received many benefits from the study of Science
and Health, but it had never dawned upon my darkened
consciousness till then how wonderful our God is. I
knew what had taken place in that home could take place
in my unhappy home where there was neither rest nor
peace.
639:10
I hopefully took up my cross, and step by step my
burden grew lighter, as I journeyed along, realizing the
presence of the Christ, Truth, that indeed makes us
free. Not all at once did any outward change appear,
but at the end of three years all was peace, all the
members of the family attending church together and
realizing that there is but one Mind. – E. J. B., Supe-
rior, Wis.
639:18
STOMACH TROUBLE HEALED
639:19
I was healed of stomach trouble of many years' stand-
ing by reading Science and Health. My condition had
reached the stage in which I had periodical attacks, that
came on with greater frequency. I was a travelling sales-
man, and it was a common occurrence for me to have to
call a physician to my hotel to administer morphine for
an acute form of this disease. This became a regular
thing at certain places, and these attacks always left me
worse than before. As a result of the last one I lost a
great deal in weight. I had tried many physicians and
most of the usual remedies during these years of suffer-
ing, without any good result. Finally, as a last resort, I
640:1
decided to try Christian Science, and I was healed by
reading "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures"
by Mrs. Eddy.
640:4
My health has been of the best since I was healed, now
six years ago. In the family we have depended entirely
on Christian Science for our healing, and have ever found
it efficacious. We consider the physical healing, however,
only incidental to the understanding of God and His good-
ness. This, together with our increased love for the Bible,
is proving most valuable to us. We are humbly trying
to live the lives that will prove our gratitude to God, and
to our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy. – Charles E. Peck,
St. Johnsbury, Vt.
640:14
FREED FROM MANY YEARS OF SUFFERING
640:15
In the spring of 1880 I was taken down with a severe
attack of stomach trouble, was bedfast for three months,
and not able to drive out for nearly six months. During
this time I had three good doctors treating me. I gained
a little in strength, but had very little relief from the
stomach trouble. I was recommended to try mineral
springs and did so, but with the same disappointment. I
went to a sanitarium, but yet the stomach trouble pre-
vailed. I had some friends who recommended patent
medicines, but no healing came.
640:25
I worried along in this way for several years. Finally
I read medicine nearly two years with a good doctor
friend, especially for my own benefit, and during this
time I had a severe attack of bladder trouble, and for
fifteen years I suffered so severely at times that I thought
life was not really worth living. In connection with these
641:1
troubles I suffered every winter with rheumatism and
the grip. I also had a growth coming on both eyes called
cataract, which caused my eyes to be inflamed nearly
all the time, and this growth had made such progress
that it was causing my vision to be very dim when read-
ing. Corns were not forgotten, as I was reminded of
them very frequently, and for all these troubles I had tried
every remedy I heard of that I was able to get, specialists
included, without relief.
641:10
Thanks to a friend who took me in this hopeless, dis
couraged condition and led me to the light that never
knows darkness, I got a copy of Science and Health by
Mrs. Eddy and was healed in a short time by reading this
work. – D. W. L., Anderson, Ind.
641:15
RELIEF FROM INTENSE SUFFERING
641:16
I became interested in Christian Science in 1901. For
four or five years I had suffered with severe attacks which
nothing but an opiate seemed to relieve. After one
which I think was the worst I ever had, I consulted our
family physician, who diagnosed my case as a dangerous
kidney disease and said that no medicine could help me
but that I must undergo a surgical operation. I con-
tinued to grow worse and went to see the physician again,
and he advised me to consult a doctor who was connected
with the city hospital of Augusta. This doctor made
an examination and diagnosed the difficulty as some-
thing different but quite as serious. Meanwhile a friend
offered me a copy of Science and Health. I said I did
not care to read the book, but she was so urgent that I
finally promised to do so. I received the book on Satur-
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day, and on Sunday morning I sat down to read it. When
I reached the place where Mrs. Eddy says she found this
truth in the Bible, I began comparing the two books. I
read passages which looked very reasonable to me, and
said to myself, This is nearer to the truth than any-
thing I have ever seen. I continued to read all day,
stopping only long enough to eat my dinner. As I read
on, everything became clearer to me, and I felt that I
was healed. During the evening a neighbor came in,
and I said, "I am healed, and that book has healed me."
I read on and was certainly healed. Eight days after
my healing I did my own washing. This occurred in
February, 1901. About six weeks after, I was called
to care for my mother, who was under the care of my
former physician. I again let him examine my side,
as he wished to see if the trouble was still there. He
said, "It is certainly gone." I said to him, "Doctor,
you told me I would never be a well woman unless I was
operated upon; what has healed me?" He replied, "God
has healed you." – S. H. L., North Pittston, Me.
642:21
GRATEFUL FOR MANY BLESSINGS
642:22
It is with sincere gratitude for the many blessings Chris-
tian Science has brought me, that I give this testimony.
I first heard of Christian Science about fifteen years
ago. A friend of mine was taking treatment for physical
troubles, and was reading the textbook of Christian
Science, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.
The title of the book appealed to me very strongly. I
said to my friend, "If that is a Key to the Scriptures,
I must have it."
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I had long been a member of a Bible class in an or-
thodox Sabbath school, but I never felt satisfied with
that which was taught; there was something lacking,
I did not understand then what it was. I purchased a
copy of Science and Health and began to study it. I
wish I could express in words what that book brought
me. It illumined the Bible with a glorious light and I
began to understand some of the Master's sayings, and
tried to apply them.
643:10
I had had a longing to live a better Christian life for
many years, and often wondered why I failed so utterly
to understand the Bible. Now I knew; it was lack of
spiritual apprehension.
643:14
I did not know at first that people were healed of dis-
ease and sin by simply reading Science and Health,
but found after a while that such was the case. At
that time I had many physical troubles, and one after
another of these ills simply disappeared and I found
that I had no disease, – I was perfectly free. The
spiritual uplifting was glorious, too, and as I go on in the
study of this blessed Science, I find I am gaining surely
an understanding that helps me to overcome both sin and
disease in myself and in others. My faith in good is in-
creased and I know I am losing my belief in evil as a power
equal to good. The pathway is not wearisome, because
each victory over self gives stronger faith and a more
earnest desire to press on. – E. J. R., Toledo, Ohio.
643:28
GRATEFUL FOR MORAL AND SPIRITUAL AWAKENING
643:29
About four years ago, after I had tried different ways
and means to be relieved from bodily suffering, a faith-
644:1
ful friend called my attention to the teaching of Chris-
tian Science. After some opposition, I decided to in-
vestigate it, with the thoughtthat if this teaching would
be helpful, it was meant for me as well as for others; if
it did not afford any help, I could put it aside again, but
that I would find out and be convinced.
644:7
After I had read Mrs. Eddy's work, Science and Health,
a few days, I found that my ailments had disappeared,
and a rest had come to me which I had never before known.
I had smoked almost incessantly, although I had often
determined to use my will power and never smoke again,
but had always failed. This desire as well as the de-
sire for drink simply disappeared, and I wish to say here,
that I received all these benefits before I had gained much
understanding of what I was reading. Like a prisoner,
who had been in chains for years, I was suddenly set free.
I did not then know how the chain had been removed,
but I had to acknowledge that it came through the reading
of this book. I then felt an ardent desire to read more,
and to know what this power was that had freed me
in a few days of that which I had been trying for years
to shake off and had failed. It then became clear to
me that this was the truth which Jesus Christ taught
and preached to free humanity almost two thousand
years ago. It did not, however, occur to me to apply
it in my business affairs; on the contrary, I first thought
that if I continued in my study I would have to retire
from business.
644:29
This did not happen, however, for I gradually found
that the little understanding of this wonderful teach-
ing which I had acquired became a great help to me in
my business. I became more friendly, more honest,
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more loving to my fellow-men; and I also acquired better
judgment and was able to do the right thing at the right
time. As a natural result my business improved. Be-
fore I knew anything of Christian Science my business
had often been a burden to me, fear and worry deprived
me of my rest. How different it is now! Through the
study of the Bible, which now possesses unmeasurable
treasures for me, and for our textbook, Science and Health,
and the other works of our Leader, I receive peace and
confidence in God and that insight into character which
is necessary for the correct management of any business.
– W. H. H., Bloomfield, Neb.
645:13
HEREDITARY DISEASE OF THE LUNGS CURED
645:14
For a long time I have been impelled to contribute a
testimony of the healing power of Truth. As I read
other testimonies and rejoice in them, some one may
rejoice in mine. I was healed by reading Science and
Health. By applying it, I found it to be the truth that
Jesus taught, – the truth that sets free.
645:20
From childhood I had never known a well day. I
was healed of lung trouble of long standing. Con-
sumption was hereditary in our family, my mother and
three brothers having passed on with it. The law of
materia medica said that in a short time I must fol-
low them. I also had severe stomach trouble of over
eight years' standing, during which time I always re-
tired without supper, as the fear of suffering from my
food was so great that I denied myself food when hun-
gry. For over twenty years I had ovarian trouble,
which was almost unbearable at times. It dated from
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the birth of my first child, and at one time necessitated
an operation. I suffered with about all the ills that
flesh is heir to: I had trouble with my eyes from a child;
wore glasses for fourteen years, several oculists saying
I would go blind, one declaring I would be blind in less
than a year if I did not submit to an operation, which I
refused to do.
646:8
But thanks be to God whose Truth reached me through
the study of our textbook. Words fail to express what
Christian Science has done for me in various ways, for
my children, my home, my all. The physical healing
is but a small part; the spiritual unfolding and uplifting
is the "pearl of great price," the half that has never been
told. – Mrs. J. P. M., Kansas City, Mo.
646:15
TEXTBOOK APPRECIATED
646:16
It has been my privilege to have interviews with
representatives of more than sixty per cent of the na-
tions of this earth, under their own vine and fig-tree.
I had never heard a principle understandingly ad-
vanced that would enable mankind to obey the apos-
tolic command, "prove all things," until Science and
Health with Key to the Scriptures was placed in my
hands. I believe that the honest study of this book
in connection with the Bible will enable one to "prove
all things."
646:26
I make this unqualified statement because of what
my eyes have seen and my ears heard from my fellow‑
men of unquestioned integrity, and the positive proofs
I have gained by the study of these books. Many
supposed material laws that had been rooted and
647:1
grounded in my mentality from youth have been over-
come. It required some time for me to wake up to
our Leader's words in Miscellaneous Writings, p. 206:
"The advancing stages of Christian Science are gained
through growth, not accretion." I had many disappoint-
ments and falls before I was willing to do the scientific
work required to prove this statement; yet notwithstanding
the cost to ourselves, I am convinced that we cannot do
much credit to the cause we profess to love until we place
ourselves in a position to prove God as He really is to us
individually, and our relation to Him, by scientific work.
647:12
I wish to express loving gratitude to our Leader for
the new edition of Science and Health. In studying
this new edition one cannot help seeing the wisdom,
love, and careful and prayerful thought expressed in
the revision. Often the changing of a single word in
a sentence makes the scientific thought not only more
lucid to him who is familiar with the book, but also to
those just coming into the blessed light. All honor to
that God-loving, God-fearing woman, Mary Baker G.
Eddy, whose only work is the work of love in the helping
of mankind to help themselves; who has placed before her
fellow-men understandingly, what man's divine rights are,
and what God really is. – H. W. B., Hartford, Conn.
647:25
RUPTURE AND OTHER SERIOUS ILLS HEALED
647:26
When I took up the study of Christian Science
nearly three years ago, I was suffering from a very
bad rupture of thirty-two years' standing. Sometimes
the pain was so severe that it seemed as if I could not
endure it. These spells would last four or five hours,
648:1
and while everything was done for me that could be
done, no permanent relief came to me until I com-
menced reading Science and Health with Key to the
Scriptures. After I had once looked into it I wanted to
read all the time. I was so absorbed in the study of
the "little book" that I hardly realized when the healing
came, but I was healed, not only of the rupture, but also
of other troubles, – inflammatory rheumatism, catarrh,
corns, and bunions.
648:10
I would never part with the book if I could not get
another. I am seventy-seven years old, and am enjoy-
ing very good health. – Mrs. M. E. P., St. Johnsbury, Vt.
648:13
MOTHER AND DAUGHTER HEALED
648:14
When Christian Science came to me, I had been tak-
ing medicine every day for twenty years, on account of
constipation. I had been treated by doctors and spe-
cialists; had taken magnetic treatments and osteopathy;
had tried change of climate; had an operation in a hospital,
and when I came out was worse than before. I was
so discouraged, after I had tried everything I ever heard
of, and was no better but rather grew worse, that it seemed
as though I must give up trying to get well, when a friend
suggested that I try Christian Science. I had heard
that Christian Scientists healed by prayer, and I thought
this must be the way Jesus had healed. I felt that this
was all there was left for me to try. I sent for the book,
Science and Health, and commenced to read it out of
curiosity, not thinking or knowing that I could be helped
by the reading, but thinking I must still take medicine
and that I must also have treatment by a Scientist. I,
649:1
however, dropped my medicine and read for three days;
then a light began to shine in the darkness. I was healed
of the trouble and have never had to take medicine since.
I have studied Science and Health faithfully ever since,
and other ailments have disappeared. My little daughter
has also been healed and has learned to use this knowledge
in her school work. – Mrs. O. R., Leadville, Col.
649:8
LIVER COMPLAINT HEALED
649:9
As my thoughts go back to the time when I believed
I had nothing to live for, and when each morning's awak-
ing from sleep brought a sense of disappointment to find
myself still among the living (for I had hoped each night
that I closed my eyes in sleep that it would be the last
time), my heart overflows with love and gratitude to
God for our dear Leader who discovered this blessed
truth and to the dear ones who have helped me so lov-
ingly and patiently over many rough places.
649:18
Twelve years ago, I consulted a physician because I
had noticed some odd-looking spots on one of my arms.
He said they were liver spots, but that it was not worth
while prescribing for those few, that I should wait until
I was covered with them. About three months later,
with the exception of my face and hands, I was covered
with them. Then I became alarmed and called on
another physician who prescribed for me, but he finally
said he could do no more for me. Other physicians
were consulted with no better results. Six years ago,
friends advised me to see their family physician, and
when I called on him he said he was positive he could
cure me, so I asked him to prescribe for me. At the
650:1
end of two years, after prescribing steadily, he said I
was so full of medicine that he was afraid to have me
take any more, and advised a rest. After having paid
out a small fortune, I was no better, and very much
discouraged.
650:6
Two years ago, having failed in business, I applied to
one of my patrons for a furnished room where I could
meet the few I still had left. This lady, who is a Christian
Scientist, loaned me Science and Health, and because
she asked me so often how I was getting on with the
book, I began reading it. I also attended the Wednes-
day evening meetings which I found very interesting.
After hearing the testimonies at the meetings, I decided
to speak to some practitioner about these spots, but
not until I had at least a hundred dollars on hand, be-
cause I thought I would require that amount for treat-
ments, as I had been accustomed to paying high prices.
I had not inquired about prices, and in fact did not speak
to any one about my intentions, because I felt sensitive
on this subject. When I had read about half of Science
and Health, I missed the spots, and upon searching
could find no trace of them. They had entirely dis-
appeared without treatment. In a few weeks the read-
ing of that book had accomplished what materia medica
had failed to accomplish in ten years. It is impossible
to express the feeling of relief and happiness which came
over me then. – C. K., Astoria, N. Y.
650:28
A CONVINCING INVESTIGATION
650:29
While I have testified to those around me and in many
localities, of my healing in Christian Science, I feel that
651:1
it is high time I put the candle in the candlestick where
all who will may see. My earliest recollection was a day
of suffering, – a physical inheritance from my mother,
which gave simple interest for a time until years ad-
vanced and compound interest was added. My father
was a physician, and material remedies were used for
my mother without avail, consequently his confidence
in them for me was shaken, – in fact he often told me
it was better to suffer without medicine than become a
chronic doser, without pain.
651:11
I began teaching in early life and continued for more
than twenty years, and during that time not a day passed
without pain, or fear of pain, and only for my innate
love of life it would have become an intolerable burden.
For five years oatmeal was my chief food and I became
almost as attached to it as Kaspar Hauser to his crust.
I was early taught to have faith in God, and many times
was relieved of pain only to have it appear again in an
aggravated form.
651:20
At last my heart cried out for the living God, and
the answer came by one of His messengers, who told
me of Christian Science. I replied that I believed God
could heal, but that I had no faith in the healing of Chris-
tian Science, but would like to investigate its theology,
as it might aid in giving me some clue to the meaning
of life. For three years I had searched the works of
the most scientific writers to find the origin of life; many
times I would think I had traced it to the beginning,
but it would elude my grasp every time. One day in
talking with my friend, she said she would like to loan
me the textbook, Science and Health, which I very will-
ingly accepted. Not long afterward I felt a severe
652:1
attack of suffering. I opened the book for the first
time and found a paragraph near the middle which
attracted my attention. I read the same paragraph over
and over for nearly two hours. When the tea bell rang
I closed the book and I shall never forget my per-
ception of the new heaven and the new earth, – every-
thing in nature that I could see seemed to have been
washed and made clean. The flowers that I have
always loved so much, and that from childhood had
told me such sweet stories, now spoke to me of the
All-in-all, the hearts of my friends seemed kinder, – I
had touched the hem of the garment of healing.
652:13
I ate my supper that evening forgetful of the prepa-
rations I had made for suffering, and when the next
day began I was more zealous of good work than ever
before. Since closing Science and Health at my first
reading I have never been able to find the paragraph
which I had read so many times over, the words seemed
to have slipped away from me, but my joy knew no
bounds at having found the pearl of great price. By
the continued reading of the book I was entirely
healed, and for fourteen years I have not seen a day
of physical suffering. – Miss L. M., Rome, N. Y.
652:24
DEAFNESS AND DROPSY HEALED
652:25
I had been deaf from childhood. I suffered intensely
after eating, and dropsy was another of my complaints.
This, with consumption, caused one doctor to say, "It
puzzles me; I have never seen such a case before as
yours."
652:30
I met a friend who had been cured in Christian
653:1
Science, and she said, "Try Christian Science." I got
a copy of Science and Health and in three weeks I
was entirely cured. I felt uplifted. It seemed as if
God's arms were around and about me. I felt as if
heaven had come down to earth for me. After five
years of suffering can any one wonder at my unspeak-
able gratitude? – A. B., Pittsburg, Pa.
653:8
GRATEFUL FOR MANY BLESSINGS
653:9
In 1894 I began the study of Christian Science. At
that time I was greatly in need of its healing truth.
For a number of years previous I had been a semi‑
invalid with no hope of ever being well and strong
again. Several years before this time I had undergone
an operation which resulted in peritonitis. For three
years previous to my study of Science and Health
by Mrs. Eddy, I was scarcely ever free from headache
caused by the weakened and diseased condition of the
internal organs. At the time I began the study of
Christian Science I was taking five kinds of medicine.
653:20
I began to read Science and Health, and did not
take treatment, for I thought, "If this is truth, I shall
be healed; if it is not, I shall be able to detect it,
and will have nothing to do with it." I became a
devoted student and gradually my bodily diseases left
me, – I was free, and since that time, nearly ten
years ago, neither my two children nor myself have
taken any medicine; and our understanding of truth
has been able to meet and overcome any suggestion of
illness.
653:30
I was a devoted member of an orthodox church,
654:1
but as I grew older I began to question my beliefs,
and to my questions I could find no satisfactory an-
swer. I became dissatisfied and finally ceased attend-
ing church. I could not accept the idea of God taught
there, and at last my friends looked sadly upon me as
an atheist. There I stood until I learned to know God
as revealed in Science and Health, and then all my
questionings were answered. In my girlhood I had
always prayed to the God I held in mind, and when
the shadows of sickness pain, and death came to my
family, I prayed as only those can who know that if
He helps not, there is none; but my prayers were
unanswered. Then I closed my Bible, saying, "There
is a mistake somewhere, perhaps some time I may
know."
654:16
Only those who know the attitude of mind that I
was in can understand the joy that came to me as I
began to learn of God in Christian Science, and of my
relation to Him.
654:20
Many proofs of the healing power of Truth and of
His protecting care throng my thoughts. Seven years
ago, when we were in a far distant country, where
Christian Science was then unknown, my little daughter
came in one morning from her school, saying, "Mother,
I have measles; twenty of the girls are sick in bed and I
am afraid they will put me there also." Her face, hands,
and chest were covered with a deep red rash, throat sore,
and eyes inflamed. We began immediately to do our work
in Science and at night, when I left her at the door of the
college, her face was clear, her eyes bright, and all fear
destroyed. That was the end of the disease. – F. M. P.,
Boston, Mass.
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