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ANNIE M. KNOTT, CSD
Mrs. M. B. G. Eddy, My Very Dear Teacher: It was my purpose to write to you soon after my return to Detroit; but very pressing duties have prevented my so doing. After a calm and careful review of your teaching in the Normal Class, I have to thank you greatly for the higher understanding of the Truth which I received. Allow me to say here, that I was a careful student always, and never overlooked anything taught in Science and Health; but now I see clearly the imperative necessity of many doctrines which I formerly accepted on trust. My sister most ably held the field in my absence. On my return, she said, smilingly, that the air of Detroit seemed unfavorable to malpractitioners, as the two in the city had left in my absence. She (sister) was working almost day and night. One case I should like to mention. She was called at a late hour one night, to see a young man with belief of ulceration of bowels. He had been ill over a year, and on that evening three of the best doctors in this city had consulted together, and abandoned his case, giving him but a few hours to live. When sister went in, all the relatives were around the bed, weeping. Sister dismissed all of them, with the assurance that God, and not sickness, was all-powerful. Well, the Truth destroyed the fear, and in a few days he was sitting up, and eating all kinds of food, which he had not done for nearly a year. The doctor, calling a few days after, was surprised to find the young man living, and on being told of the means employed, said he must look into Christian Science. The minister, however, was grievously offended, and ceased his prayers for the young man's recovery. We are striving to make it a case of healing, not a mere change of beliefs. In the meantime, I am, with much love, in which my sister joins, Yours in the Truth, Detroit Intelligence [The writer was a member of Rev. M. B. G. Eddy's class in obstetrics.] My Very Dear Teacher: At one time I had a great feeling of reticence in respect to reporting cases of healing; but as the Truth grows upon my apprehension, I feel it to be a duty to magnify God's holy name, and to declare His wonderful works,—lest, shamed by our silence, the stones cry out. About the time our last class closed, one of the students, passing a house on her way home, heard, on more than one occasion, cries of pain, which attracted the attention of others as well as herself. On questioning a boy who stood outside, Miss—was told that the cries were from a poor sick woman, whom a number of doctors failed to cure, or even benefit. On hearing this, Miss—, overwhelmed by the conviction that this was a case for Christian Science, went to the door and offered her services, which were declined on the part of the relatives, who had never heard of Christian Science. Nothing daunted, Miss—persisted gently but earnestly, until the matter was left to the decision of the sufferer. The poor woman eagerly grasped at the hope held out to her. She was treated at once. The fear was taken away,—and with it the pain, of course. Miss—learned that the cause of the illness was a belief of having been thrown from a carriage, which was followed by a premature birth. Mortal mind, voiced by the physicians, declared that a portion of the placenta had not been delivered. Hence arose the beliefs of blood poisoning, of paralysis, of bed-sores in a gangrene condition, and a serious bladder-difficulty. On being turned in bed, the patient's cries distressed the neighbors greatly. These awful pictures, which I regret to present, were held up to Miss—, to show her the uselessness of attempting to heal, when several eminent physicians had failed. In the midst of this cure, however, Miss—told me she had an overwhelming sense of Divine Harmony. To be brief, in less than a week the patient was helped from the bed, where she had lain four months, dressed, and assisted down stairs, to take dinner with the family. In a few days after, she went out riding. The medical opinion had been that a surgical operation alone would remove an abdominal enlargement, which caused the sufferer, in belief, great pain. This was said to be caused by the portion of placenta already referred to. A few days since, the physician made an examination, and said that the operation was unnecessary, as the obstruction was all gone, and also the swelling and pain. He, however, told her, by way of comfort, that the trouble would all go to her lungs now, and carry her off in the fall; but she is doing well at present. Before closing this already too long letter, I wish to add a line about our friend Mrs. Otis, who went to Marquette in May, at my earnest request, to treat a young man, said to be dying from belief of consumption. The doctor had declared his lungs to be entirely gone. He was confined to the bed, and the family was almost in despair, as others of their dear ones had been separated from them in the same way of belief; and although two had been healed by Christian Science, fear, at this time, held the balance of power. An older brother was obliged to leave home for four days. In leaving, he took what he believed to be a last farewell of his only remaining brother. Mrs. Otis arrived that day, and on his return, four days after, the brother met the invalid walking on the street. He has improved steadily, and is well now. I need not say how the family regard Christian Science healing! The young man whose case was reported in March, I believe, suffering from belief of ulceration of the bowels, has improved greatly, and his former physician has most fairly and generously reported the case. His family, too, rejoice in the Truth, and what it has done for them. Yours lovingly, A. M. Knott A Whole Family My Very Dear Teacher: While our work here in Detroit is very quiet, it has hitherto been free from strife. We are arranging for a Sunday service; which, for the present, and with your approval, I shall conduct. I have been doing a little missionary work through the State this summer, and feel more and more deeply the world's need of Christian Science; and most clearly do I perceive its adaptation to that need. Surely, after our great convention, we need not fear anything. The feeling in Chicago was no surface enthusiasm, but came from the heart. One little circumstance touched me deeply. I observed one person addressing another with great joy, and exclaiming, "What! you a Christian Scientist? Oh, I am so glad!" These were old friends, who had not met for years, and were unaware of each other's life-progress. I could not but think of the hereafter, when we shall have awakened from this dream. I suppose you know that my youngest sister is with her husband laboring in our good cause in Toronto Canada. That makes our entire family in this glorious work. A. M. Knott |
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