Some time ago our young son manifested impetigo. Although my husband and I did prayerful work in Christian Science, the condition continued to spread. We then sought the help of a Christian Science practitioner. We were asked to look up references to "evidence" in the Bible and in the writings of Mrs. Eddy and to study particularly this passage from "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" by Mrs. Eddy (p. 262): "God creates man perfect and eternal in His own image. Hence man is the image, idea, or likeness of perfection—an ideal which cannot fall from its inherent unity with divine Love, from its spotless purity and original perfection."
We endeavored to know that our son was in reality a spiritual idea and to stop looking at the material evidence. The healing took place when we were able to do this, and at the same time the boy's behavior greatly improved.
During this same period a cut on one of my fingers became infected, and my thought was filled with fear. The practitioner helped me to realize that I need not be fearful but could trust completely in God's tender care of His children, and I again made an effort to look away from the material evidence. In a matter of hours the finger drained, and the complete healing followed quickly.
At this same time I also experienced the symptoms of a nervous breakdown. I related this to the practitioner and asked for her support. She assured me that good alone comprises man's being and that as a child of God, man expresses the authority and dominion given to him by God. I was invited to study these words (Pulpit and Press by Mrs. Eddy, p. 3): "Know, then, that you possess sovereign power to think and act rightly, and that nothing can dispossess you of this heritage and trespass on Love." I was greatly comforted when I realized that man's true heritage as the child of God cannot be taken from him.
One night about two months later when I awakened feeling very fearful, I got up and earnestly studied Psalms 23, 91, and 100. I realized that if I really trusted in God, I need not be afraid and that I must be obedient and rest in this trust. I fell asleep and later awakened with a sense of peace I had not known for some time. I knew I was healed.
During the period before the healing took place I spent much time in a consecrated study of the Bible and all the writings of Mrs. Eddy. I gained a greater love for these books and an appreciation of them, a firmer conviction of the truth of the teachings of Christian Science, and a realization of the need of consistent, daily study in order to retain a sense of man's unity with God. Each day I was able to carry on my normal activities.
Once when our young daughter had a skin disease, prayerful work was done in regard to purity. Although this healing took several weeks and the condition appeared alarming, the child herself was not concerned, nor did she experience discomfort. When we were tempted to look at the condition, she reminded us that we must not do so. The disease also appeared on our son, but he was very quickly healed through prayer.
The healings related here are only a few of those that we have had through applying the teachings of Christian Science. There have been quick healings of earache, influenza, an abscessed ear, so-called chilcare's diseases, and the tobacco habit. Business decisions have been made with harmonious results, and lost items have been recovered. Very precious to me is the love and happiness in our home, and I attribute these to the practice of Christian Science there. I am increasingly grateful that our children have the privilege of attending the Christian Science Sunday School, where they have at an early age learned to love their religion and to apply it to their daily needs.
I am grateful to have had class instruction, because it has better prepared me to utilize the teachings of Christian Science in my daily affairs and to serve the Cause of Christian Science in branch church activities.— Ann Arbor, Michigan.
