In explaining the incident of Moses' handling of the serpent that appeared when he cast down the rod, Mrs. Eddy writes in the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health (p. 321), "The serpent, evil, under wisdom's bidding, was destroyed through understanding divine Science, and this proof was a staff upon which to lean." Joy and gratitude are mine as I contemplate the blessings which have been manifested in my experience when the serpents of erroneous thinking have been wisely handled and destroyed. The many proofs of healing which I have had and have witnessed while being reared in a Christian Science home have been to me a strong staff indeed upon which to lean.
The healing from which I received my most helpful lesson occurred when I was a young girl. The illness was not diagnosed, but since it appeared quite serious the neighbors exerted pressure to compel my parents to have medical treatment for me. Because of this interference it seemed wise for my mother to send me away from home.
A practitioner was called and a place was found for me in a neighboring city. For my part in the work, I was given a verse from the Bible (II Tim. 1:7) to memorize and hold to, and the definition of "man" from our textbook (p. 591). I was also to study daily the Lesson-Sermon. At the end of three weeks I returned home well. In later years I asked my mother if it had been hard for her to send a child away in such a condition. Her answer was, "It was the most difficult thing I ever did; but I knew if you were to get your healing I had to place you unreservedly in the care of God, your real Father-Mother."
