I have often thought that if Christian Science does more for any one class of people than another it is for mothers, since it has been such a help to me in raising my children. A few years ago, while we were living in Chicago, one night after retiring I awakened at half past ten with a terrible sense of dread. Stopping to analyze this feeling, my thought went out over my little flock of five children and I remembered that they were all safe asleep except the eldest, seventeen years of age, who had gone out with his skates. Lake Michigan is considered very treacherous, and mental pictures came before my eyes of his falling through the ice, but I said to myself that I must use Christian Science and help him, wherever he might be. I therefore arose, turned on the light, and picked up "Miscellaneous Writings" by Mrs. Eddy, opening it at "The Mother's Evening Prayer" on page 389, to me the most beautiful poem in the English language. I read the first two stanzas, which so calmed my fears that I was enabled to declare the truth as we are taught in Christian Science, and I felt that my boy was safe in the arms of divine Love. In a little while I heard his footsteps on the stairs, and as he came bounding into my room he said, "Oh, mother, I was nearly killed just now." It seems that when alighting from the car he stepped right in front of one coming from the opposite direction and was thrown to the sidewalk, but when the conductor and people in the car picked him up they were surprised to find he was not injured.
When this same boy was out on the Mexican border with the Illinois National Guards and I received word that he was very low with malarial fever, again this beautiful poem was my refuge and help. I have been called upon to make the greatest sacrifice of my life in giving our youngest son to his country, and in the dark hours of the night when I think of him over in France so far away from home, I wish that I could express in words the comfort and strength of these words from the poem already quoted: "His arm encircles me, and mine, and all."
I consider Christian Science the greatest blessing that ever came into my life. It has made the Bible a new book to me. Words but faintly express my gratitude for this teaching, but I am indeed thankful to God, the giver of all good, and grateful to our revered Leader, who has so patiently and so lovingly shown us the way.— Boston, U.S.A.
