Although my husband was a Christian Scientist and had had two outstanding healings of conditions which had been declared incurable, I had felt no real urge to investigate Christian Science until after our second daughter was born. At one time she became ill with a severe cold, which fast developed into croup. My doctor had supplied me with several medicines, but the condition worsened.
One time I was up with her until almost five o'clock in the morning, doing everything I knew to relieve the child's suffering. By then, she appeared to be breathing more easily; so I returned her to her crib and lay down nearby quite exhausted. However, her distressed breathing soon roused me from sleep. When I reached her, there was every indication that she was passing on. I called for my husband, and I knew by the look on his face that his first reaction was the same as mine.
He said, "What are we going to do?" I had long known what he had wanted to do, but he had allowed me free rein with the children.
I answered, "A doctor couldn't get here in time; call a Christian Science practitioner."
That "man's extremity is God's opportunity" was instantaneously proved. Within five minutes after my husband had called the practitioner, the baby's color returned, her body became relaxed and warm, and she breathed normally. With no fear whatsoever I laid her in her crib and returned to my bed, where I fell into a deep sleep. On awaking two hours later, I found the baby awake and laughing with absolutely no vestige of even a cold. The healing was indeed complete. I knew then that Christian Science heals.
However, I had a feeling that Christian Scientists deified Mrs. Eddy, and I resented her strongly. A dear friend and neighbor who was also a practitioner sensed this feeling. Without mentioning it, she brought me Sibyl Wilbur's book, "The Life of Mary Baker Eddy," and said that I might enjoy reading it. Though I did not think I would, I picked up the book that evening to glance over it. I could not put it down. When I finished the book in the early morning hours, I was completely healed of all antagonism to our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, and was free to make faster progress in the study of Christian Science.
Early in my study, I had an attack of influenza. I had been extremely ill with this disease in former years, when the illness itself had been followed by weeks of convalescence. So this time I was at first frantic at the thought of having to go through it all again. Then came the angel message that now I knew of Christian Science, and this was the time to use it. I asked my husband to call the same practitioner who had done such prompt and effective work for our daughter. After twenty-four hours had elapsed and I felt no better, I asked my husband to call the practitioner again and to tell him that I felt very sick and that this was no way to make a convert.
My husband laughingly gave my message to the practitioner, who replied that he was not working for converts, but for the glory of God. I thought about this as I went to sleep, and I slept the night through. When I awoke, I was entirely free. I arose and did practically two days' work in one. Moreover, I looked so well that my appearance called forth comment. I had always been subject to heavy winter colds, but after that healing, several years elapsed without my having any colds. I had never known such freedom.
Then suddenly one morning I was overwhelmed with all the symptoms of influenza, which was then receiving much publicity. I opened Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, and this passage on page 390 stood out: "Suffer no claim of sin or of sickness to grow upon the thought. Dismiss it with an abiding conviction that it is illegitimate, because you know that God is no more the author of sickness than He is of sin." When I came to the words "abiding conviction," I said right out loud and gratefully: "'Abiding conviction,' Why, that's one thing I really do have, an 'abiding conviction' that Christian Science heals."
As quickly as the sun dispels the mists, every symptom that a moment before had been clamoring for attention melted into its native nothingness. This experience uplifted and strengthened me beyond words.
Grateful as I am for every facet of Christian Science, I am most grateful for its availability and practicality in the minutiae of daily living. For membership in The Mother Church, for membership and activity in a branch church, and for class instruction, I am truly thankful.— La Grange, Illinois.
