It is with a deep sense of love and joy that I express my gratitude to God for His protection and ever-available healing power. Through the study of Christian Science, we know that God is always present and all-harmonious and that man, God's idea, cannot be touched by an accident or a discordant condition of any kind. One morning I walked by an open gas heater. My gown and housecoat touched the heater as I walked by, and in a moment they were in flames. I ripped the clothes off and put on others, but the pain was so intense that I paced the floor, declaring over and over, "God is All," and repeating "the scientific statement of being" from page 468 of Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy. In about an hour the pain lessened.
The next day it was necessary to ask the substitute librarian to serve in my place in our Christian Science Reading Room. I did not mention the experience then; but the following day, when I felt quite free, I related the incident to several people on the telephone. As a result the whole experience became real to me again. The next morning, as I was preparing breakfast, I became seriously ill. My husband called a Christian Science practitioner, and work was taken up immediately. For several days I was aware that someone was reading to me almost constantly, but I was only semiconscious most of the time. When I regained consciousness, I felt I knew absolutely nothing of Christian Science. The practitioner, who was very patient and loving, assured me that that was just what mortal mind wanted me to think.
Since nearly half of my body was severely burned, a Christian Science nurse was called. I am grateful for the opportunity of meeting such a sweet and loving person. My husband is a student of Christian Science, and he tried to see the nothingness of the condition. I know God sustained both of us.
Each day as new problems presented themselves, they were handled step by step through Christian Science. At times the pain was quite severe, but never did I doubt that "with God all things are possible" (Mark 10:27). Many beautiful statements from the Bible and from Science and Health were read over and over to me. One such statement that was most helpful is from Science and Health (p. 447): "The recuperative action of the system, when mentally sustained by Truth, goes on naturally."
The biggest problems were a false sense of pride and self-condemnation. I felt sorry for all the trouble I was causing everyone. However, I was made to realize that right where I was I could be about my Father's business. I saw I needed to be more grateful that everyone was so loving and capable of doing the necessary things for me, and I rejoiced that they too were having an opportunity to glorify God in their experience. Then as my thought changed, the material picture began to change.
I never before realized just how wonderful the Talking Book records of Science and Health are. Several nights when I was in much pain, I played these records all night through. For the peace and comfort they brought, I am deeply grateful. A dear friend said to me, "Know that you are being ministered to by the angels of God's presence." In five weeks I was able to be back at my work in the Christian Science Reading Room. The healing came through Christian Science alone.
This testimony would not be complete if I did not express gratitude for all the love that was expressed to me and my family by our many friends. We certainly saw that, in the words of the Christian Science Hymnal (No. 64), "the loveliness of Love is all around."
For this healing and all the countless blessings we have received through Christian Science, I am profoundly grateful. I am sincerely grateful for the entire movement and especially for membership in The Mother Church and a branch church, for the privilege of class instruction, and for the joyous and sacred trust of serving in our Reading Room. I give thanks to God for Christ Jesus, who came that we might have a more abundant life, and to Mrs. Eddy, whose revelation of Truth makes plain the means of having it.— St. Louis, Missouri.
