Christian Science was presented to me by a loved relative who, with her first reading of the textbook, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, had a quick and complete healing of what doctors had diagnosed as an incurable condition. Although grateful for her healing, because the predicted alternative was very serious, I was grudging in my thought of Science and disinclined to give it due credit, and the loan of the textbook and other writings of our Leader was not very graciously received. I now realize that I was searching for Truth, but at the time I seemed to be in a sea of unbelief and dissatisfaction. One day, however, I opened one of the books at random. It was "Miscellaneous Writings," and the first sentence I read was illuminated. I knew that this was the truth, and since then Science has been my "shield and stay" (Christian Science Hymnal, No. 100). Through it I have had many physical healings, problems of positions in business for myself and others in my family have been met a greatly needed right sense of supply has been developed, and there have been increasing opportunities and interests.
On one occasion I was divinely protected in a dangerous accident. The brakes of my bicycle failed, and I rode into the path of an oncoming train. At no time during this experience did I have any sense of danger. Afterwards I was told that I came out from beneath the body of the slowly moving train, between the front and back wheels of a truck. I was firmly convinced that I moved under direction from the train guard, but was later told that the guard had stated that he had not seen me after the front of the train hit me. My coming out as I did was regarded as miraculous by two or three onlookers, as they considered it was the one place possible for me to come out without injury.
This experience impressed on me the value of daily protective work. The protection was extended in that, contrary to what might have occurred, there was very little said about the happening, so that knowledge of it did not come to those to whom it might have caused worry; my bicycle, though apparently badly smashed, could be repaired at no great cost, and in the meantime another was lent me by a friend (this being in wartime, transportation was a problem for all); and I missed no time at my office. A couple of deep cuts in the muscle of one of my legs were healed in a few days, so that a medical nurse said that they looked as if they had been capably stitched by a surgeon.
