Christian Science Testimony GRATITUDE AND PROGRESS          When I first came to Christian Science I was hungry, thirsty, starving for the Word of Life. I had had several beautiful and instantaneous healings that came about by studying the Bible, together with the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, and putting into practice whatever I could glean; but as I went along I kept getting more hungry for the heavenly manna, yet I did not feel I was making sufficient progress. One day I met a friend who is a student of Christian Science, and I began to complain to him that I was not getting the truth as I felt I should. He asked me if I was grateful. My friend went on to say that hardly a day passed that he did not receive blessings, and that if I was as hungry as I said, nothing in the world could keep me from getting closer to God's love. When we parted, I had something to think about.          About this time I attended a Christian Science lecture. The lecturer recommended that we read "The Life of Mary Baker Eddy" by Sibyl Wilbur, of which opportunity I made haste to avail myself. From the moment I began reading this remarkable biography, I found my attitude toward Mrs. Eddy beginning to undergo a remarkable change. My consciousness seemed to overflow with love, and gratitude, and humility, and good cheer toward all men. Then I came to that portion of the biography that treats of Mrs. Eddy's getting ready the third edition of Science and Health for the press, founding and teaching in the Massachusetts Metaphysical College, healing, preaching, — proving the good Samaritan to countless hungry hearts. In addition to all this stupendous labor for God, the biographer went on to say, Mrs. Eddy was compelled, because of the stringency of her monetary situation, to clean her own floors and make over her old clothes. As I read this particular paragraph I had a great awakening light. Then I put the book down and began to think and think. I thought of dear Mrs. Eddy, of her handicaps, her trials, her self-denials, her love in spite of prosecution and persecution, her humility, her genius, and her strength; and the more I pondered, the more I loved what she stood for. It seemed very natural that tears began to roll down my cheeks, — not tears of self-pity, just the first honest tears I had ever shed.          I began to count my blessings. I found, when I began to count, that I had already received much to be grateful for through the blessed ministry of Christian Science. There were, in addition to our Bible, the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, and also the wonderful privilege of being a student of Christian Science. Then, too, I was grateful for every little thing. I felt as if I could clap my hands for the joy of knowing that God loves me. The study of Christian Science has since healed me of nervous prostration, acute indigestion, the wearing of glasses, and, instantaneously, of Spanish influenza.          I am more grateful than I can say for the truth that makes free, and for the world's noblest humanitarian since the time of Christ Jesus, — Mary Baker Eddy. Celia Stein New York, New York   "Testimonies of Healing" Christian Science Sentinel, September 27, 1924

 

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