On page 3 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, we read: "Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech." It seems that one can be grateful for many blessings received through the ministry and practice of Christian Science and yet fail to realize the greater blessing of sharing one's experiences with all mankind.
For many years the Bible was a closed book to me, although I had been taught to read and respect it; but it was not mine to understand or to realize the truth it contained until it was studied in the light of Christian Science. Held in bondage to many of the sins of the flesh, I reached a stage in my experience when I was tempted to doubt the existence of God. Then came that "still small voice," through the pages of our textbook (p. 532) whose "summons may be thus paraphrased: 'Where art thou, man? Is Mind in matter? Is Mind capable of error as well as of truth, of evil as well as of good, when God is All and He is Mind and there is but one God, hence one Mind?'" How grateful I am that this voice reached me in the wilderness of material thought, and that I was willing to lay aside prejudice and listen to the healing words of our Father-Mother God, assuring me that I need not suffer or continue in bondage to any man-made laws; that, in the words of the Scriptures, "now are we the sons of God," and that we are created in His image and likeness, perfect and eternal.
Through the study of the Bible and the Christian Science textbook, together with other writings by Mrs. Eddy, and the loving help of Christian Science practitioners, I have been able to overcome many of the false beliefs formerly entertained about man and his relationship to God. With this overcoming, many beautiful healings have been realized, including those of indigestion, defective eyesight, use of tobacco and liquor, nervousness, sprained ankle, profanity, and many other disorders, both physical and mental. For these healings I am very grateful. I am also grateful for the spiritual uplifting that accompanies the growing realization of man's unity with our Father-Mother God.
