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

Chapter XVIII - Fruitage

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decided to try Christian Science, and I was healed by

reading "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures"

by Mrs. Eddy.

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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.

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FREED FROM MANY YEARS OF SUFFERING

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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RELIEF FROM INTENSE SUFFERING

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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.

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GRATEFUL FOR MANY BLESSINGS

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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.

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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.

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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.

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GRATEFUL FOR MORAL AND SPIRITUAL AWAKENING

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About four years ago, after I had tried different ways

and means to be relieved from bodily suffering, a faith-

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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.

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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.

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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.

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HEREDITARY DISEASE OF THE LUNGS CURED

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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.

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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.

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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.

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TEXTBOOK APPRECIATED

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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."

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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

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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.

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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.

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RUPTURE AND OTHER SERIOUS ILLS HEALED

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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,

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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.

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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.

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MOTHER AND DAUGHTER HEALED

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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,

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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.

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LIVER COMPLAINT HEALED

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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A CONVINCING INVESTIGATION

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While I have testified to those around me and in many

localities, of my healing in Christian Science, I feel that

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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DEAFNESS AND DROPSY HEALED

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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."

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I met a friend who had been cured in Christian

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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.

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GRATEFUL FOR MANY BLESSINGS

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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.

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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.

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I was a devoted member of an orthodox church,

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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."

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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.

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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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A JOYFUL EXPERIENCE

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In love and gratitude to God, and to Mrs. Eddy, the

interpreter of Jesus' beautiful teachings, I wish to tell

of some of the benefits which I have received from

Christian Science. It is a little over a year since

Science found me in a deplorable condition, physically

as well as mentally. I had ailments of many years'

standing, – chronic stomach trouble, severe eye trouble,

made almost unbearable from the constant fear of

losing my sight (a fate which had befallen my

mother), also a painful rupture of twenty-five years'

standing. These ailments, combined with unhappy

conditions in my home, made me very despondent. I

had entirely lost my belief in an all-merciful God, and

I did not know where to turn for help. At that time

Christian Science was brought to my notice, and I shall

never forget the sublime moment when I perceived that

an all-loving Father is always with me. Forgotten was

all sorrow and worry, and after four weeks' reading in

Science and Health all my ailments had disappeared.

I am today a healthy, contented woman.

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All this has come to pass in one short year, and my

earnest desire is to be more and more worthy to be

called a child of God. This is in loving gratitude for

an understanding of this glorious truth. – Mrs. R. J.,

Chicago, Ill.

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AN EVER-PRESENT HELP

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It is a year since I began to read Science and Health,

and I will now try to outline what a knowledge of its

teachings has done for me.

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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.

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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.

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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

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