Since coming into Christian Science some four years ago, I have had some very beautiful demonstrations, and have often felt it my duty to send them to Journal, for the benefit of others, but have kept putting it off from time to time.
Having a demonstration a few weeks ago in which I realized as never before the ever-presence and all-power of God, I determined to delay no longer.
Living in the country, about five miles from town, with a family of four small children, and having no telephone near at hand, I am often called upon to do my own work.
One evening about two weeks ago, as I was preparing supper, my two little boys, five and seven years of age, came running to me with what I thought to be a mushroom (we are very fond of mushrooms and each year pick and eat quite freely of them). I took it and smelt of it, as I could not see the color by lamplight, but thought by the smell and look of it that it was all right; but the result proved that I was mistaken.
I put it on the stove, sprinkled salt on it, and gave half to each of the boys. The oldest boy, Harold, ate all his and seemed to like it, but Ernest just ate a little of his and gave the rest to Harold, saying, "I don't like it."
In about five minutes Harold began to complain of pains in his stomach, which seemed to grow worse, till he was completely bent over.
Fear immediately took hold of me, and being alone in the house with the children I did not know which way to turn for a few minutes. All at once the thought came to me, God is an ever-present help in time of trouble; and "There is but one primal Cause. Therefore there can be no effect from any other cause" (Science and Health, p. 103). This was a great help to me, and I could see the little fellow was much better and was able to sit up. Still I was full of fear, he looked so deathly pale and sick.
Error suggested many remedies, all of which I rejected, feeling that God was the only Power.
After a little while the pains returned, seemingly worse than before, and when he said, "Oh, mamma! I feel sick all over," I saw that it was myself that needed treatment; and leaving the boy in God's loving care I went to my room to meet the fear.
Fear not: for "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end," and other beautiful passages from the Bible brought me great relief. Going downstairs I found Harold very much better; he tried to eat some dinner, but said everything tasted like mushrooms.
After a little while he went to bed but did not yet feel quite himself. However, I went about my work, trying all the time to realize the Truth for him, but still holding a great deal of fear and all the time listening for him to call out. After a while my fear was made manifest, for the pains returned. I immediately sat down to treat again for fear, and after a while the beautiful passage from the Scriptures came to me: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me."
Then I knew what the peace "that passeth all understanding" was, and from that time on I had not a particle of fear, and the demonstration was fully made, no more symptoms of any kind returning.
I have had many good demonstrations, some quick and others very slow, showing that we must be faithful and obedient in Christian Science.
Before closing, I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to our dear Master who has pointed out the Way, and to our beloved Leader who with love and patience has taught us how to overcome error.— Alameda Co., Cal.
