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D. ALLYN GARBER For nearly a year I was practically a helpless invalid, — the culmination of about ten years of nervous disorders and doctoring. I was unable to leave home unattended, even to go the shortest distance; when I did venture out I would frequently be brought home in a state of collapse and would find relief only in quieting powders and other medicines, including at times large doses of a certain drug at half-hour intervals. At this stage I turned to Christian Science, and in about three weeks I resumed my business and was going about at ease. A few years after this I was passing through a wild section of woods about two hundred miles from home, on a canoe trip with a young man just about seventeen years of age. In a spot at some distance from any human habitation the young man was taken suddenly ill, and became unconscious and delirious. I was immediately tempted to think of my former condition, and to believe I was then all alone and worse than alone — with a seemingly helpless friend to care for. After a few minutes' quiet realization of the truth I was calm and at work. I pitched our tent, cooked my supper, put my friend to bed, got out my copy of Science and Health, and drowned the mutterings of error with the audible reading of passages from Mrs. Eddy's book. I was forced to make my own demonstration, and humility, earnestness and untiring effort were needed in seeking the solution. I knew that God was present — there and then. I knew He was all-present and omnipotent, and therefore there was no possible power to oppose Him. When I awakened, the sun was shining brightly. I nudged my friend and we arose together both feeling fine, and we rejoiced on the remaining ten days of our trip in the knowledge that, as Mrs. Eddy says in "Unity of Good" on page 24, "God is All-in-all; and you can never be outside of His oneness." This was the proof which seemed to make Christian Science my own. I had proved it for myself and another, and since then, about nine years, I have had further proofs at every step. A few other conspicuous landmarks in my progress have been as follows: my acknowledgment of Christian Science to the world in taking my stand, joining the church, and beginning church activities; changing my basis of estimating manhood and manliness from that of physical strength, human will, commercial power, and the like, to that of a willingness to be used of God, good, in meekness, kindness, love, thus putting aside self and finding my right place in the business world, a step which I wholly attribute to Christian Science; losing all desire for tobacco after fifteen years' habitual use; an awakening to the import of The Christian Science Monitor, and a renewed appreciation of all the periodicals; privilege of class instruction, which has unfolded a greater and fuller significance of Christian Science to me. The passing of each landmark has been to me a proof of guidance in taking the right direction, and has given me fresh courage to ascend a step higher. Thought was turned from the weary traveling of mortal highways and the recording of events by the calendar of days; for as we read on page 584 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, "Mind measures time according to the good that is unfolded." The sincerity of my gratitude I hope to make evident in the constancy of endeavor to honor God by practical proofs of man's oneness with Him.
Christian Science Sentinel, December 14, 1918 |
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