“Fruitage” Chapter

I love the reading of Fruitage during each Sunday service. At the beginning of the chapter of Fruitage it is mentioned that these healings were chosen from the Christian Science Journal and Sentinel. These healings spanned over many years during Mrs. Eddy’s time. There were many similar healings to choose from in the publications, so it is evident that the testimonies were hand-picked and God-led, as a teaching tool, each with specific placement and purpose.

Recently I have been reading the Fruitage chapter in the 1910 edition of Science and Health, this being the final edition given to the world by Mary Baker Eddy. In comparing the two editions, I found that three testimonies in Fruitage were changed or relocated after Mrs. Eddy’s passing in 1910, one as soon as 1912, and the following beautiful testimony was removed entirely.

Science and Health A Priceless Boon

I am a willing witness to the healing power of Christian Science, having had a lifetime’s battle with disease and medical experiments. Various doctors finally admitted that they had exhausted their resources, and could only offer me palliatives, saying that a cure was impossible. I had paralysis of the bowels, frequent sick headaches with unutterable agony, and my mortal career was nearly brought to an end by a malignant type of yellow fever. Many were the attending evils of this physical inharmony, but God confounds the wisdom of men, for while studying Science and Health two years ago, the veil of ignorance was lifted and perfect health was shown to me to be my real condition, and to such there is no relapse. The constant use of glasses, which were apparently a necessity to me for years, was proven needless, and they were laid aside. Mrs. Eddy has made Scripture reading a never-failing well of comfort to me. By her interpretation “the way of the Lord” is made straight to me and mine. It aids us in our daily overcoming of the tyranny of the flesh and its rebellion against the blessed leading of Christ, Truth. The daily study of the Bible and our textbook is bringing more and more into our consciousness the power of God unto salvation.

— J. C., Manatee, Fla.