Christian Science means everything in the world to me. During the past twenty-four years it has been our only physician. When I was eleven years of age, we lived a short distance from a little Christian Science church. It was the custom of my mother always to go in plenty of time to the church services, as there were smaller brothers and a sister to care for; and I generally would follow when I had finished my work at home. On a Wednesday evening, just as I was leaving the gate, a car filled with young people drove near me and asked if I would like to have a ride. As the car was already filled, I thanked them and said I could walk. They, however, insisted that I should ride; and so I stood on the running board, and off we went at about thirty-five or forty miles an hour. What took place I do not know. All I can remember is that I fell to the ground headfirst and turned many somersaults. The driver of the car picked me up and asked if I wanted to go home or to the doctor's office. I repeated, over and over again, that I wanted to go to the little stone church (the Christian Science church). Instead of taking me to the church, however, they took me to their home in another part of the city, washed me, and let me go. My determination to get to the church was accomplished; but in what manner is unknown to me. I had to cross two railroad tracks,—one a main line, another a local,—and there were passenger trains due on both. It was surely divine Mind that cared for me, for finally I came into the church and my mother took me home. By firm reliance upon God, and constantly clinging to the truth as we are taught in Christian Science, I was able to be in the cherry tree the next morning picking cherries. There were no scars left; there was no discoloration; nor were there any fractured bones; but there was deep rejoicing that God is divine Mind, omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient, and that if we but firmly rely upon Him we shall always be lovingly cared for.
Another experience that was a great lesson to me occurred in the year 1917, when we moved to the northern part of Montana. We were miles away from city, church, and neighbors; but the love of our Father-mother God is everywhere present. At this time I was the oldest son at home, and I could see there was something the matter with our mother. I asked her one day what was troubling her. She did not tell me; but as she still seemed disturbed, later I asked again, and found she was anxious about our affairs.
One evening I could see that things were not as they should be, so I spent the evening in reading Mrs. Eddy's works. I retired, leaving mother studying the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. About midnight she called me. When I went to her the pallor of her face frightened me. She told me to read. I turned my back to her, and read till four o'clock in the morning. If I have ever read faithfully, it was then. She then told me to go to bed, as she was much better and would rest with ease. But I read on, declaring the truth as best I knew how, until she was sound asleep and the color was back in her face. My mother told me that when she called me she felt as if she were passing away. Finally there came to her Mrs. Eddy's words (Poems, p. 12):—
