I desire to express my sincere gratitude for Christian Science. I did not come to it for physical healing, but was attracted to it because it seemed so practical. In the chapter on Prayer in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy tells us that "desire is prayer" (p. 1); and I feel grateful for that interpretation, because, although I did not realize it at the time, I know that Christian Science came to me in answer to desire. I remember that about a year or so before I heard of this teaching, I attended some special evangelistic services, and as I heard one and another of the audience pray long and fervently, I envied them, for however much I wanted to do so I could find no long sentences, but just the words of the psalm, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." The desire was there, however, and my prayers have been answered. I have studied Christian Science for about five years, and during that time have proved over and over again the healing power of Truth and Love.
I should like to mention one instance of physical healing. One Saturday afternoon about three years ago, I was having some roller-skating practice, and in attempting an awkward corner alone for the first time, a sense of fear came over me, and I fell with great force on the asphalt pavement, striking very heavily on my spine. I felt stunned, but declared the truth, and so managed to get to a recess near at hand, where my sister joined me. With her help the faintness was soon overcome, but as I sat there, sharp pains began to shoot up my back. I did not wish to spoil my sister's afternoon, so I proposed that we go round again, hoping thereby to get my thoughts off myself. We stayed a little longer and then went home. While at tea, the pains started in again, and I was forced to lie down. My brother treated me, and read to me from the text-book, but as the pain was very severe and fear had such a hold on me, it was thought best to ask the help of an experienced practitioner, and accordingly this was done the next day, after the morning service. I was able to come down-stairs in the afternoon and sit without any recurrence of the sharp pain, although to rise from the chair caused considerable discomfort; but every day there was great improvement, and by the end of a week I was perfectly well, with the exception of a slight weakness. I feel sure that had it not been for Christian Science, there would have been in store for me a long time of suffering, and possibly inaction.
I am very grateful for the light Christian Science throws on the Bible, which before was to me practically a closed book because I did not understand it. I desire also to express my thanks for the Christian Science periodicals, and the many helpful articles that come daily, weekly, and monthly. Words can never express my thankfulness to God, and also my gratitude to Mrs. Eddy for Christian Science.— Cricklewood, London, England.
