Before I found Christian Science, a growth appeared on my right ear, and I had it removed through surgery. It was not long before the growth reappeared. It grew larger and at times became alarming. I realized that it was time for me to do something about it. The suggestion that I again try surgery occurred to me, but that suggestion was frightening. I did not want a medical diagnosis, because I feared what it might disclose.
At this point I asked for help from a Christian Science practitioner. I explained to her that the growth itself did not bother me nearly so much as what I thought others saw and thought. She said to me, "You must know that you are 'hid with Christ in God.'"
Her meaning became clear to me when I read in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy (p. 325): "In Colossians (iii. 4) Paul writes: 'When Christ, who is our life, shall appear [be manifested], then shall ye also appear [be manifested] with him in glory.' When spiritual being is understood in all its perfection, continuity, and might, then shall man be found in God's image. The absolute meaning of the apostolic words is this: Then shall man be found, in His likeness, perfect as the Father, indestructible in Life, 'hid with Christ in God,'—with Truth in divine Love, where human sense hath not seen man." The unfoldment which came to me in the repeated pondering of that statement was: "All that man can know of man or see in man is what God knows and sees. That is perfection." That was the beginning of the healing of the growth on my ear.
Some time later my wife and I had occasion to go to Boston. Massachusetts, on a business trip, and our plans included a Wednesday evening testimony meeting in The Mother Church. That was a glorious experience. We were so uplifted that we felt as though we were walking on air. In the foyer of the Church we talked with a man to whom we were anxious to speak. After our exchange of greetings, he asked, "What healings or interesting experiences have you had in Christian Science?"
My answer was, "None, that I can recall just now, but I am going to have one."
"What do you mean by saying, 'I am going to have one'?" he asked. "You are perfect now, and you know it."
My wife and I were speechless. I felt that I had been reproved, and I did not like it.
Later, however, those words of reproof became words of love. The spiritual status of man as God's child became clearer. I saw that man, God's image and likeness, is perfect now, not shall be, and I lost sight of the imperfect mortal who had seemed so real to me for so long. It was only a very short time until the growth on my ear disintegrated and disappeared completely. Not long afterward my wife and I had class instruction from the man whose words had helped to awaken me to my freedom.
In Luke we read concerning Jesus (17: 20), "When he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation." I learned that the truth about man does not come from observing matter or by harboring and protecting imperfection, but it comes by our replacing with the truth the lie concerning man.
The blessings I have received through application of the truths learned in Christian Science are many. I am grateful to Christ Jesus, the Way-shower, and to Mary Baker Eddy, our beloved Leader, through whose inspiration and untiring efforts we have this practical religion. Also I am grateful to the practitioners who have given me courage to remain firm. Membership in The Mother Church and a branch church and class instruction are further reasons for my gratitude.
St. Louis, Missouri
