Our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, writes on page 393 of Science and Health: "Rise in the strength of Spirit to resist all that is unlike good. God has made man capable of this, and nothing can vitiate the ability and power divinely bestowed on man."
A few years ago I had a beautiful proof of the good that comes from resisting inharmony. The front wheel of my bicycle caught on something, and I was thrown over the handle bars onto the ground, where I landed with great force on one knee. The pain was great, and it did not appear possible for me to get home without assistance. However, my son, who was with me, picked up my bicycle, and I managed to get on it and pedal slowly along with one foot. At the same time I was trying to clear my thought and to realize the presence of God.
When we came to a hill I was unable to get up it with my one-footed pedaling; so I got off the bicycle and began to stumble along in a very ungainly fashion. Suddenly an angel thought came to me, and I said aloud to my son: "What am I doing, giving power to error? We call ourselves students of Christian Science, and here is a wonderful opportunity to prove what we have been studying." We then declared this beautiful truth which Mrs. Eddy gives us on page 228 of Science and Health: "There is no power apart from God. Omnipotence has all-power, and to acknowledge any other power is to dishonor God." We turned our thoughts to God and knew that man dwells in Spirit, safe from all harm, and that discord can in no way disturb the harmonious state of man in God's likeness.
Having done this, we turned away from the problem and began to talk of other things altogether. By the time we reached home I was bicycling normally up a quite steep hill, and there was no pain at all. The following day the knee was neither stiff nor discolored. I had been healed almost instantaneously. I shall never cease to be grateful for this healing, because it showed me the value of a firm stand and the power of a right thought.
There have been many instances of the immediate help we have received through applying the teachings of Christian Science. On one occasion the angel message in Isaiah (41:13), "I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee," brought immediate freedom from a gastric attack, and I was able to go out at once to keep an appointment. We have experienced wonderful protection when out on the sea in our small sailing boat in fog and in rough weather.
I can never say how grateful I am to Mrs. Eddy for having revealed the truth of being to the world and for having provided various steps for our advancement. For attendance as a child in a Christian Science Sunday School, for membership in The Mother Church, for the great blessing of class instruction, and for the opportunity of serving in a branch church, I am deeply grateful— Parkstone, Dorset, England.
