(This testimonial from the March 1889 CS Journal is a lesson in receptivity to Truth combined with stern resolve in confronting an obstinate, error-spewing adversary.)
In the suburbs of this city [Boston], the following case occurred about two weeks ago.
In a family where Christian Science had found a welcome, but was not clearly understood by the parents, a child, of about ten years, was stricken with an acute belief of suffering. Science aid not being at once available, the former medical adviser was called for his opinion on the case.
The next day the medical adviser expressed fears relative to ensuing conditions, which ripened in one or more subsequent visits to a manifestation that required the skill of a surgeon. He suggested a certain “new process” of lancing, to ward off the danger of an internal breakage, from which sure death would be the result. Upon hearing this conclusion, the affrighted child shrieked in terror for him to go away and return no more, utterly and persistently refusing to take the medicine, or do aught that was prescribed, but calling loudly for Mrs.—, a Scientist, to come and see her.
At length, discomfited, he asked who the party was, and the child replied, with fervor, “She is a Christian Scientist!”
“But you have a disease here that is beyond Christian Science,” said the doctor; then, portraying the condition as very critical, life hanging by a thread, and so on, declared his intention to call the following day, bringing with him a celebrated surgeon from the neighboring city to examine the case, and operate thereupon if necessary.
Through the intensity of fear there had been no expressed remonstrance up to this point, save that of the child’s; but when left to themselves the conviction of not having done all impelled the parents to yield to the child’s request and summon the Scientist at once. Upon her arrival the child was soon comforted, and with thought receptive to the Truth and accustomed to its blessed ministrations, a quick response followed, visible to sense in the changed condition from high fever in belief, to perspiration and quiet slumber.
After a brief interval the family were induced to retire, while the lady, with her assistant, took charge of the patient, tenderly administered to her needs, and the realization of Truth in its application, looked alone to God for the result, assured by the promise, “My Word shall not return unto Me void.”
The morning came, bright with hope; at the appointed hour came also the M. D.’s, one or both of them surgeons, who proceeded to examine the patient for the fatal bunch, but found nothing to lance, nor even from which to determine its location, the temperature normal, and but little, if any, soreness.
After a brief consultation, they advised extreme quiet in bed for recuperation, and left the home. On the following morning the regular attendant called again, the child greeting him with the remark, “I am up, doctor,” whereupon the mother was upbraided for not heeding the instructions, and a similar case was pictured before her in which it was alleged that in twelve hours the child had died.
He was reminded, in reply, of the statement by the surgeons as to the changed conditions of the patient, in the disappearance of the bunch, to which he gave little heed, and reproached the mother for the grave offence of allowing the patient to be up, saying she should be strapped down to the bed, if she could be kept down in no other way.
This was quite too much; it was now the mother’s turn to speak. She asked him how he accounted for the suddenness of change, when he knew that nothing was done in accordance with his order. The reply was, “Oh, rest and quiet brought it about.” Then the mother opened her mouth to the praise of Truth, and declared the fact of calling in a Christian Scientist, with this blessed fruit in result.
The scene can be better imagined than described, when the doctor closed with the statement that “Christian Scientists ought every one to be hung.” Despite it all Truth triumphed, and its own harmony was made manifest in health and blessing.