Our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy, says in Science and Health on pages 470 and 471, "The relations of God and man, divine Principle and idea, are indestructible in Science; and Science knows no lapse from nor return to harmony, but holds the divine order or spiritual law, in which God and all that He creates are perfect and eternal, to have remained unchanged in its eternal history." A realization of the truth contained in this statement began my release from a fear-filled, unhappy, discouraged selfhood.
Hope, based on spiritual fact, appeared in place of futility and frustration. A sense of inadequacy was replaced with the understanding that I too was a loved and needed child of God. This understanding has brought healings in every area of my life, the working out of happy relationships, the overcoming of false appetites. Understanding that man is known of God and has his own place in the divine order has brought employment and recognition in my field.
The understanding that God protects and keeps His children forever at the point of perfection has enabled me to help our four children to overcome through Christian Science treatment alone various so-called children's diseases and other ills, from which they suffered little or no discomfort. Their healings included those of virus infections, coughs, colds, ear problems, impetigo, stomach upsets, car sickness, deep cuts, crushed toes, cut tendons, and burns; also the removal of sties instantaneously and of warts was accomplished by the prayerful work of the child concerned.
A healing for which I am particularly grateful took place during one night with the prayerful help of a dear and courageous practitioner. This was the overcoming of what was apparently poliomyelitis and its aftereffects. Late one Saturday evening our daughter became very ill. I called a practitioner, who began to give her treatment at once. I sat up holding her all night; and in spite of my tremendous fear, I sang hymns and clung to this statement from Science and Health (p. 151): "Fear never stopped being and its action."
As dawn came she suddenly relaxed and slept normally for an hour or so. However, when she woke she was not entirely free of limb, and the evidence of paralysis had to be reversed. Realizing that my presence would not free her but that my freedom from fear would help to do this, I went to church. When I returned she was dressed and riding a play horse in the front yard. Not only was the physical healing complete, but my fear and overconcern about her were healed too. She has been free and happy since then.
I should add that the practitioner told me later that she was going to have me report the illness to the health authorities if on Sunday there was still cause.
Another healing bringing great spiritual growth was that of our eldest son, then ten years old. After the boy had been ill for a week, my husband, who was not a Scientist, arranged for him to be examined by a physician and then a specialist. The trouble was diagnosed as a glandular infection which might affect the brain. They agreed he must be operated on immediately.
The boy himself took such a strong stand, citing many testimonies in The Christian Science Journal and the Christian Science Sentinel that he had read telling of people being given up by the medical profession and then healed in Christian Science and saying he knew his healing would come with Christian Science help, that my husband took him home instead of having him admitted to a hospital right away, as the specialist advised. The practitioner who had been helping the boy continued to work prayerfully for him.
The doctor wanted to examine the boy the next day. I took him for the examination, and the doctor found that the child was well and no longer needed an operation. The following day the boy played tennis.
My gratitude is unbounded for all the avenues Mrs. Eddy was led to open for us to learn more of God. The periodicals, the Lesson-Sermons, given in the Quarterly, and The Christian Science Monitor enable us to find daily growth in grace. For membership in The Mother Church and a branch church and for the incomparable experience of class instruction, I am deeply grateful; also for Christ Jesus, our remarkable Way-shower, for his disciples and our practitioners, and for the Sunday School, which brings to our youth such confidence in and conviction of the truth contained in Christian Science.— Van Nuys, California.
