Through many years' study of Christian Science, I have learned to more fully appreciate the importance of the statement Mrs. Eddy makes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 174): "Truth is revealed. It needs only to be practised."
I am reminded of an experience which I had about fifteen years ago. I suffered for several months from fallen arches. It was necessary at that time to be at my place of business daily, and although I was grateful to be able to be there, it seemed possible only because I was being driven both ways and could be in a chair most of the time when at the office. I studied the Lesson-Sermons in the Christian Science Quarterly faithfully, but the situation did not seem to improve. The need to get around more freely seemed so very great that I finally permitted myself to wear arch supports, using the excuse that they were really only part of a shoe and not a material remedy. For a day or two the pain lessened, but then the condition became more unbearable than before.
Just at that time we were studying the Lesson-Sermon entitled "Truth," and Mrs. Eddy's statement on page 167 of our textbook, "Only through radical reliance on Truth can scientific healing power be realized," remained constantly in my thought. I then saw clearly that wearing arch supports was not relying wholly on Truth and so discarded them. Almost immediately there was some relief, but even more radical reliance was needed, because there was still an inclination to keep off my feet whenever possible. The next day there were a number of errands which were really part of my duties, and although it seemed a severe test, I undertook them, feeling that it was not right to ask someone else to do my work. Before my first destination was reached, all the pain and weakness had returned. I leaned against a building to rest and prayed earnestly as we are taught in Christian Science. I knew that I had been obedient in discarding the so-called aids and there was just nothing left to do but to place myself entirely in God's hands.
