My gratitude for Christian Science is unceasing. In every way for over twenty years it has been the physician in our family. A dear friend told me about Science, and I saw its effects demonstrated in her own life. Awakening to the great promise Science held for me and my family, I earnestly desired to be free from the smoking habit. I realized that I could not speak to our child with authority about the healing power of Christian Science while I was smoking a cigarette. Human effort to overcome the habit was in vain. Finally I called for help from a Christian Science practitioner. After she had given me two treatments through prayer the nagging desire for cigarettes faded from my consciousness, and with wonderful and lasting joy I became free from the bondage.
When our daughter was six years old she fell heavily astride a picket fence while playing in the backyard. She was painfully injured, and her crying confused me as I tried to quiet her. Then "the scientific statement of being" (Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, p. 468) came to our rescue with its pure declaration of God's allness and of man's spiritual perfection as His image. Between sobs the child repeated it aloud with me, having been taught it in the Christian Science Sunday School.
The fall involved internal injuries, and a practitioner was called. I sat by the girl's bed, praying until she became quiet and fell asleep. In the morning her condition was still severe, but we continued to pray and refused to give the material evidence any reality or power. She was able to play outdoors as usual, and in a matter of days the healing was complete.
