In searching some CS literature of the past, I came across two articles relevant to this week’s lesson:
First: “… [T]o ‘work out your own salvation’ means to bring every thought into subjection to Truth and Love.” — testimonial of J. S. P., Kingston, Mass. CS Journal, Oct. 1891
And second:
From the CS Sentinel, October 17, 1903
By A. L. H.
I desire to express through the Sentinel, the deep gratitude I feel for the healing of my eyes through Christian Science.
For years I have suffered almost constantly with severe pain in my eyes, and for nearly a year I was unable to use them to any extent for close work. I received treatment from three of the best oculists in my own city, one in a near by city, and a noted one in New York, but none of them seemed to understand my case sufficiently to relieve the pain that always accompanied the use of my eyes.
After being in Christian Science a few months, I sought help from a practitioner. After several treatments, my eyes appeared for a time to be worse. I suffered with severe pain and headache, and physical discord in other ways seemed to claim me. Knowing comparatively little of Science, I could not understand why there should suddenly appear so much that was inharmonious, and fearing I was listening to error’s voice, and losing ground,—almost in desperation,—I took my Science and Health and turned to the chapter “Atonement and Eucharist,” page 22, and I was guided to these words: ‘Work out your own salvation,’ is the demand of Life and Love; for to this end God worketh with you. ‘Occupy till I come!’ Wait for your reward, and ‘be not weary in well-doing.’ If your endeavors are beset by fearful odds, and you receive no present reward, go not back to error, nor become a sluggard in the race.”
The next paragraph, in which it says, “Love is not hasty to deliver us from temptation, for Love means that we shall be tried and purified,” also had special significance in that time of doubt. I read on until on the next page I came to the words, “Believe . . . and thou shalt be saved!.” when all discord left me and I felt I was healed.
Three days later, I was able to go without my glasses altogether. This was over three months ago, and since that time I have not worn glasses at all.
After I had gone without them a month, fear brought on the old pain again, but that was entirely overcome by a few treatments, and since then the strength that has come to my eyes with the realization of Mrs. Eddy’s words, “Spirit’s senses are without pain, and they are forever at peace” (Science and Health, p. 215), has been a revelation to me of the power of Truth in overcoming physical inharmony.
My deepest gratitude, however, comes through the realization of the spiritual uplifting I am daily receiving through this truth. For this I earnestly give thanks to God and to Mrs. Eddy and to the dear friends from whom I have received so much help and inspiration in the study of the Word.—A. L. H., Albany, N. Y.