Many years ago I was given a Christian Science Hymnal. I was indeed happy to receive it, because at that time I did not have the money to buy one. Since I had been somewhat interested in Christian Science during my school years, I treasured this Hymnal and loved to sing the hymns in it. I wanted to attend a Church of Christ, Scientist, and when I did, the first hymn seemed to have been chosen to mark that day in my life. It began (No. 64), "From sense to Soul my pathway lies before me."
This was during the depression years, and we had very little materially; but great love and happiness came to our little family, and every physical difficulty that presented itself to the children or to me was quickly healed. We had healings of mumps, measles, scarlet fever, influenza, colds, and effects of accidents.
I was so grateful for the teachings of Christian Science when my husband passed on suddenly. My daughters and I were left without an income and with a mortgage on the home, but we were marvelously sustained and cared for. Within a few days I had received the promise of a part-time position, had enrolled in a business college for a brief review, and had rented the greater portion of my house. Within a month I was given full-time office work.
I went to work with much fear that I would be unable to perform my duties, but I clung to the words of the Christian Science practitioner who was helping me: "You can do whatever it is necessary for you to do." Because I had been a timid, helpless person, the fact that I was able to work satisfactorily was wonderful to me. I was so grateful to be able to do what was required of me through reliance upon the one Mind, God, whose infinite intelligence man reflects and expresses.
In the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy writes (p. 128), "A knowledge of the Science of being develops the latent abilities and possibilities of man." There was a Christian Science Reading Room only a block from the office, and most of my lunch hours were spent there. Much growth resulted, and I remained in the office for many years.
I wanted my daughters to have a better education than I had, but this did not seem possible with only my salary as a stenographer for their support. When we figured it out on paper, we could see it just was not possible to send them to college, but we went ahead anyway. The girls worked during the summers, and we saw many beautiful evidences of supply. A buyer was found for some lots we owned, and a small legacy came to the girls from a great-aunt. Although they practiced wise economy, their college years were comparable with those of the other girls in the dormitories. They had attractive clothing and enjoyed all college activities. With humility and gratitude beyond words I saw them both graduate from the university.
The fall when one of the girls was a freshman and the other a junior, I wanted so much to go to Boston, for I had never seen The Mother Church, but because of the girls' college expenses, it seemed that I should not go. However, I felt divinely led to go, and when I returned home after several wonderful days of study at the Sanatorium of the Christian Science Benevolent Association, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, I found that I had been given an annual increase in salary which more than covered the expenses of the trip. The Bible says (Matt. 6:33), "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
It is a great privilege to be a Christian Scientist, to be active in a branch church, to have had class instruction, and to attend the yearly association meetings. I am deeply grateful for the influence of Christian Science in my life.— Farmington, Michigan.
