"Scene at the Signing of the Constitution," by Howard Chandler Christy
The famous painting, “Scene at the Signing of the Constitution,” is a huge 18′ x 26′ oil portrait by one of our nation’s greatest artists, Howard Chandler Christy. It was completed in 1940 and hangs today in the east stairway of the House wing of the Capitol building. Congressmen and congresswomen have been walking by it since the early days of WWII. It is among the best known images in the United States Capitol.
If I could, I’d like to share with our nation’s leaders how the painting represents more than a great work of art or a significant moment in United States history. It also signifies how Christian Science has been, and continues to be, a benefit to the world. You see, Christy would have never painted this amazing portrait if his sight had not been restored by Christian Science years earlier.
In the following letter, published in Time magazine on April 12, 1937, Christy recounts how he fully regained his sight by the healing work of a Christian Science practitioner:
“It is fitting that I should give testimony of my healing in Christian Science on this Easter morning, as it was twenty-eight years ago at Easter Time when first my health was returned to me. Previous to this time I had been partially blind, and numb from the knees down. I had tried all kinds of cures but no help. I tried to forget through drink. The doctors said I could live but a few months.
One day my relative, a Christian Science practitioner, called to see me. I managed to hobble into the front room where she was sitting and during the conversation she asked me if I would like her to give me a treatment. Right then something told me from within that I would regain all my strength; so I answered ‘Yes, go ahead.’ While she was talking everything in the room began to clear. I could even see the color of her eyes, which were blue. It was as if a fog had lifted. I stood up and wanted to walk out in the clear air and did for a three-mile walk—bought tickets for the theatre that night, and actually saw the actors clearly for the first time in many months.
That night I read three pages of the Christian Science textbook (“Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” by Mary Baker Eddy) and had no trouble in reading the fine print. The next day I went to work and have worked ever since. In a few minutes’ time my life was changed from discouragement to joy and light and happiness, and gratitude is mine and will always be so long as I live.
(Signed) Howard Chandler Christy, March 28, 1937“
Among the distinguished men and women who sat for Christy after his healing were President Warren G. Harding, President Calvin Coolidge, Will Rogers, Amelia Earhart Putnam and Vice President John Nance Garner.
Many more examples of restored sight can be found in The Christian Science Journal. Or read yesterday’s blog post by my friend and colleague, Ken Girard.
Many thanks to Justin Long and Aaron Bingham for bringing this story to my attention.
This is wonderful! I am so grateful you shared! I have just begun (re) reading the textbook, Science and Health also – mentioned in this post. I had no idea that this artist was a student of Christian Science. What a blessing! One of my brothers will be going to the Capitol Building in a few weeks for a tour; I’ll tell him to look for the painting during the tour!
[ Hi Jodi,
I'm glad you like the post. I was not able to see the painting when I last took a tour of the capitol building, but I hope your brother is more successful!
Thanks for your comment,
Bill ]
Bill, what a super little nugget of history. I really appreciate the practitioner reaching out and offering to help him. We all need to go and do likewise.
[I agree.
Thanks for the comment,
Bill]
Hi Bill
Thanks for yet another great blog about Christian Science and its healing effects. I so look forward to reading them and finding out how much Christian Science has touched so many lives. Thanks again. (Your welcome Diane, thanks for subscribing! – Bill )
I’m delighted to read a full account of the artist’s healing , because only a few weeks ago I was relating to someone my experience in seeing this painting. During world war II, I was taken by a fellow CS student, who was Secretary to Gen. George Marshall and whose office was nearby, to see this magnificent work. She pointed out that one of the books lying on the table (in the lower right hand corner) has the cross and crown painted on the cover. Thank you for your awareness to the Times article reprint, for now I know the full and remarkable account of his healing.
( Thanks for your comment and the interesting note about the cross and crown. I hope to see the painting tomorrow and will look for it. – Bill )
What a lovely presentation, congratulations COP, Washington. And what a fine report on man’s spiritual perfection. Thank you. Jo Barbier, Santa Cruz [ Thank you for your comment! - Bill ]
Thank you for this uplifting article. It reminded me of the last chapter of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy entitled Fruitage. This chapter tells about people who were healed of many diseases the first time they ever read Mrs. Eddy ‘s book. In it are eight or nine testimonies of vision restored completely from blindness, astigmatism, poor eyesight or diagnosed diseased eyes that were incurable. [ I'm glad you enjoyed the post! Thanks for your comment. - Bill ]
I had attended Sunday School in the church …”Poppy” Christy attended also. Perhaps you would be interested to know that in the painting of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence, “Poppy” Christy used himself as the model for the face of Benjamin Franklin. There exists a picture of him standing next to the figure of Benjamin Franklin. [ Thanks so much for your comment! - Bill ]
Wonderful account, thanks so much for publishing this [My pleasure,thanks for your comment! - Bill]
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in truth was a enjoyment account it. Glance complex to far added agreeable from you! By the way, how can we communicate? [Thanks for your comment. I can be reached at washington@compub.org]
Thank you for sharing this beautiful life changing healing of one of America’s greatest artists! It is deeply toucing and encouraging. I too am an artist and have not painted in many years due to varied complications of bad vision and also great difficulty walking. Having experienced many wonderful healings through Christian Science for myself, my husband and friends — of health, business difficulties etc. — but not having confronted the claim of both longterm visual and mobility problems, this is just the wakeup call and inspiration I needed. No matter what it looks like or feels like, God is the real of all that we are and of all that truly is. The LOVE that is God is the Life and substance of all true being.
Abiding in the secret place of Spirit and Truth rather that the illusion of flesh and blood, there is all health, harmony and blessedness: That is the “holy mountain” where there can be neither harm nor destruction, where all space is filled with the knowledge of God. (Isaiah)