A painful and inflamed condition of my mouth caused me to visit a dentist, who reported that an X-ray photograph showed there was a growth of a cystic nature and tendency on my jaw. He declared that it was not considered dangerous medically but it was the practice to operate to remove such a growth because it would go on growing. I informed the dentist that I wished to deal with the matter in Christian Science, and was giving myself Christian Science treatment. When, in a few days, I was suddenly taken ill with inflammation of the lungs, I decided to visit a Christian Science practitioner, who had previously done some successful work for me. She kindly consented to give me treatment. After the treatment she told me that I was harboring some inflamed thoughts and advised me to go home and quietly think it over. I did this and I heard the voice of Truth say to me (John 18:11), "Put up thy sword"!
In humility I looked within my consciousness. I saw that I was harboring thoughts of indignation, with a desire, like Peter of old, to indulge animal courage, which our Leader. Mary Baker Eddy, tells us on page 48 of Science and Health, must be rebuked.
I turned to God, infinite Love, the Father-Mother of man, and I repeated over and over again the first two words of the Lord's Prayer, "Our Father." I saw man as God's own likeness, loving and beloved, with the result that the healing Christ was made manifest. As Mrs. Eddy says in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 154), "Abide in His word, and it shall abide in you; and the healing Christ will again be made manifest in the flesh—understood and glorified."
