It is with humble gratitude that I write this testimony, hoping that it will help others as testimonies have helped me. Our family has experienced so many outstanding blessings through the study and application of Christian Science that space will not permit me to relate them all. I should like to tell of our introduction to Science.
During World War II, when apartments were hard to find, my wife, our first baby, and I lived in two housekeeping rooms in Chicago, Illinois. We had been seeking a furnished apartment for several months without success. Early on Sunday mornings my wife and I would get the local newspaper as soon as it was on sale so that we could be the first to see any advertisements of apartments for rent.
One day a student of Christian Science, who was a close friend of my parents, came to visit us. Hearing of our plight, he said: "You know, children, the Bible says, 'Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you' (Matt. 6:33). Why don't you first go to church on Sunday mornings and then look for an apartment?" Later he invited us to come to the Christian Science church and said that his church had a nursery where our baby would be cared for.
After he left I turned to my wife and said: "I wonder what this Christian Science is all about? Let's go find out; but we'd better not go to our friend's church, as our membership might be solicited." The next Sunday we went to a Christian Science church which was some distance from our friend's church. As we entered, carrying our small baby, we asked an usher for the nursery. He politely explained to us that this particular church did not have a nursery, but he directed us to the Sunday School room. The women there discussed for a few moments what to do with such a small baby. Then a woman who had been sitting silently in the back of the room said: "'Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need' (Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, p. 494). I am sure we can care for the baby so this young couple can attend their first service." The women all agreed and assured us of the baby's care.
As we sat down in the church auditorium we noticed on the wall the same words of Mrs. Eddy's that had been quoted by the woman in the Sunday School room. As we pondered them we felt that we were in an atmosphere of peace and assurance. When we drove home after the service I remarked to my wife: "Those words of Mrs. Eddy's said that our every need will be met; perhaps we should try Christian Science. This religion has a daily newspaper called The Christian Science Monitor. Shall we put in an ad for an apartment?" We decided to do so and the following day went to the Monitor office to insert an advertisement. After the woman at the desk had waited on us I asked her what we did next.
She smiled and said: "I am sure that the friend who introduced Christian Science to you will help you secure a copy of Science and Health. Study it, and leave the rest to God."
We obtained a copy of Science and Health and began studying it. Also in every spare moment that I had I kept pondering with great expectancy those words of Mrs. Eddy's that we had seen on the church wall; and I repeated the Lord's Prayer, which I had learned in my former church.
In a very short time through our advertisement in the Monitor we rented a large apartment in one of the better suburbs of Chicago and purchased the entire furnishings at a very nominal price. These furnishings included items we did not formerly think that we could afford to buy. So completely was our every need met that there was even a golf set for my wife and one for me. Although other children were not being accepted in the building at that time, our family was accepted and lived there for five years.
After this proof that divine Love meets our every need I never doubted the efficacy of Christian Science. Through its study and application I was able to serve joyously in the armed services without any sense of separation from my family. Later I was transferred by the Army to a post near my home after everyone had scoffed at me for requesting such a transfer. Following my service I was able to attend and graduate from a university, though I had only two and a half years of high school and had been out of school for thirteen years.
I am grateful for our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy, for the friend who so patiently and wisely presented Christian Science to us, and for the practitioners, who are always ready to help us when we need them. Through their help our two boys have been healed of so-called children's diseases. For membership in The Mother Church and for the privilege of serving in a Christian Science Organization while I was at the university, I am very thankful.—Venice, California.
