I have been a student of Christian Science for many years, although it is fairly recently that I have taken the important upward step of church membership.
The first proof of God's constant, loving care came into my experience during the first year that I was away at school. I was sixteen years old at the time and a very new student of Science. However, through the unwavering conviction that I knew the truth about myself, I was led to a beautiful demonstration.
A few weeks prior to Christmas vacation at the school, an epidemic of influenza suddenly broke out. My roommate was sent to the infirmary, and many others followed. I had taken my Bible and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy with me to school, and although, as far as I knew, I was the only student of Science in the school, I studied the Lesson-Sermon in the Christian Science Quarterly every day. I felt sure of my ground when the epidemic struck; but when the announcement was made that any students in the infirmary when Christmas vacation began would have to remain throughout the vacation, a great fear descended on us all. The students had not been allowed to spend even so much as a week end away from school between the beginning of the school term and Christmas vacation. I knew nothing about handling fear and consequently began to work frantically instead of confidently. So I, too, began to manifest the accepted symptoms of influenza, and after several days of violent coughing and what seemed to be an extreme fever, a faculty member reprimanded me, said I was endangering everyone else in the school, and ordered me to report to the infirmary at once.
This was my first test, but I knew I was not alone. The realization of God's loving presence was reassuring, and I went to report to the nurse with no fear. The nurse greeted me in the infirmary with the words, "I don't know where we will put you." I told her I would not have to stay, that I was all right. She ignored that, had me step inside her office, and put a thermometer in my mouth. I shall never forget what a height I was on when I realized joyfully that there was not a material object of any kind that could measure man in any way. As a result of my clear realization of this, the nurse returned to find that the thermometer registered normal temperature. She doubted this so completely that she tried a second thermometer; this too registered normal. Still she felt that I should stay in the infirmary, but I stood my ground. I returned to my room, and by the next morning all the symptoms which the night before had hung over me like a heavy overcast were nothing but scattered clouds. Needless to say, the entire discord disappeared quickly into its native nothingness.
During my junior year in college I was forced to make a decision between two subjects, one of which was required. Of the two, I chose philosophy—a decision for which I shall always be grateful. In that course we covered all the ancient philosophers as well as the so-called moderns. Not one system was investigated which did not end either in a blank wall or in a very obviously contrived ending. Every such fallacy was at once completely dissolved by what I had learned of Christian Science. This was a wonderful experience, for over and over I was able to prove that what I loved so dearly was indeed the whole truth.
In the years between 1940 and 1947 my husband and I found furnished houses to rent over and over again when such were considered impossible to find. This demonstration like so many others was the result of genuine gratitude for God's loving care of His children. A painful case of stomach ulcers has been completely healed through Christian Science. A diamond which was lost was found the same evening in a most unexpected place, when Mind was allowed to lead the way.
Although very grateful for the many physical proofs. I think I am most grateful for the realization that, of all the religions which the world has ever known. Christian Science can truly bring joy. All other churches make promises, but Christian Science can always combine its promise with fulfillment; other churches talk about hope, but Christian Science brings us the realization of hope.
Mrs. Eddy tells us that "action expresses more gratitude than speech" (Science and Health, p. 3) and that "we are all capable of more than we do" (ibid., p. 89). No Christian Scientist feels that he can ever do enough to express his gratitude to Christ Jesus and to Mrs. Eddy for this "unspeakable gift." —, Portland, Oregon.
