"To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, to-day is big with blessings." When that first sentence from the Preface to our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, came to my attention, I knew that I had found the truth, from which I could never turn away.
When I think back over these last eleven years and realize what the study of this Science has done for me and mine, I find it hard to understand why I have not written my expression of gratitude before now. As soon as I learned that there is no sensation in matter, I had two instantaneous healings, one of burns and the other of cuts on my hands. These healings encouraged me to study more earnestly.
I have been healed of liver complaint, headaches, periodical pain, bronchitis, and hemorrhages. Fears which prevented my making even the simplest decisions have been conquered, and lack of employment and lack of funds have been corrected. While these healings were taking place, certain traits of character were also disappearing, giving way to qualities that made it possible for me to take a place in the world which I had believed myself denied.
I was healed of the smoking habit of twenty-five years' standing. This healing was not, however, brought about without a struggle. A short while after finding Christian Science, I wanted to become a church member. Knowing that in order to attain this goal I must give up smoking, I tried to do so through will power, which brought only a transitory result. At different times I asked help from various practitioners.
Then one day when I returned after the summer vacation to my work in a college, I smoked more than I had ever done before and excused myself on the grounds that I had a great deal of work to do that day. When I went to my room about two o'clock in the morning, I realized what I had done and exclaimed, "And I call myself a student of Christian Science!" I threw myself on the bed, spiritless and discouraged. Almost at once this angel thought came to me: "The darkest hour precedes the dawn." I fell asleep immediately. When I awoke, I was completely free from any desire to smoke. This healing took place nine years ago and has been permanent.
When I was still a slave to this habit, I was healed of a physical condition which was extremely painful. The doctors whom I consulted at that time in order to calm the fears of those around me were unable fully to diagnose the case. A considerable amount of drugs was prescribed, and I took them in order to please others; but all the while I condemned myself. In a little while my body was swollen all over, and I could hardly breathe or see.
One Friday evening, in spite of the insistence of those around me, I threw away the material remedies and turned wholly to God. I took Science and Health and read every waking moment. On Sunday morning, although my appearance was still very alarming, I dressed myself, took a taxi, and went to the service at a Church of Christ, Scientist. I came away healed. The next morning I was able to go back to my work.
Christian Science has brought me peace, protection, security, and happiness each time that I have made the effort to understand the truths contained in Science and Health, that marvelous textbook which opens to us the treasures of the Bible. Through studying and holding to the ninety-first Psalm, I had the joy of seeing my son return unharmed from Indochina after an absence of a year and a half. During his stay there he was divinely protected through his own study of the same Psalm.
My gratitude to God is boundless. I am grateful for our Master and Exemplar, Christ Jesus, and for our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy, whose life of inspiration and selflessness has given us this pearl of great price, Christian Science. And I am exceedingly grateful for membership in The Mother Church and for having had the joy of attending the Annual Meeting of this Church three years in succession, as well as for having had class instruction. How grateful I am for The Christian Science Board of Directors, who consecrate their lives to upholding the By-Laws in the Manual of The Mother Church, which was given us by Mrs. Eddy so that the truth might not be adulterated.— Wellesley, Massachusetts.
