"Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Early in my experience in Christian Science it was proved to me that one has to know the truth, not simply repeat words concerning the truth. I had worn walking shoes, the counter of which had irritated the back of my foot. As this condition was annoying and sometimes painful, work in Science was done in a desultory manner; and of course the condition did not improve, for my belief about its reality had not changed. I bought shoes with very soft counters, and still there was no change. During a Wednesday evening testimony meeting—after quite a long walk—the pain was intense, and during the singing of the second hymn the thought came to me that then and there I would have really to know the truth and use what I knew of Science, or leave the meeting. Immediately an inward voice said, On what are you standing? and as quickly I seemed to answer, Why, I have taken my stand upon Principle, Mind, God, the only foundation there is. The pain left so suddenly that I was quite startled, as it was the first instantaneous healing I had had. During the next few days the argument presented itself that the foot bothered me, but each time the declaration was made that a healing based on the truth could not be reversed. The material manifestation disappeared, because the belief had been corrected.
In the fall of 1924 I had an experience for which I have been most grateful, though it was severe at the time. I was quite suddenly seized with pain. I kept repeating that I was sure God had never sent it. I managed to reach a telephone and call a practitioner. As soon as I was able I began to read and was told to study thoroughly the twenty-third psalm with its spiritual interpretation as Mrs. Eddy, our beloved Leader, gives it to us on page 578 of our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." I obeyed this, studying and pondering the passage. However, the attacks still seemed to come. After I had taken a drink of water, the argument started again; and after I had asked that the practitioner be called again, the thought came to me that the difficulty seemed to be connected with food or drink. In the midst of the pain came those beautiful words, "[Love] prepareth a table before me in the presence of mine enemies," and a vision of what Love, our Father-Mother God, would prepare for me if setting a table; and I saw clearly that there would be love, peace, harmony, happiness, goodness, life. With this revelation of our Father's love, lifting me above the arguments of the senses, came perfect healing, and I felt very sure that the healing was permanent.
I am deeply grateful for many other healings, brought about by an enlarged knowledge of God as revealed to us by Mrs. Eddy through our textbook. I want to express gratitude for the sustaining and healing power of divine Love during an experience of sorrow, and for the beautiful work done whereby I could see the unreality of this and know it was the result of the "mist" and no part of the real creation. Every healing has shown me plainly that it is the knowing, the understanding, of God's goodness and availability that changes a wrong belief into knowledge of man's perfection as God's image.
