In 1941 I became engaged to a naval officer who had been reared in Christian Science. I felt it my duty to look into his religion before marriage, although I never intended to change from the Protestant church I attended. During a long separation before marriage, while my fiance was in flight training, I began to attend Christian Science services occasionally and went to a practitioner to try to understand more of this religion. I knew before very long that this was the religion I wanted. I had always been confused, while attending my church, about the relationship between God, Jesus, and man. Christian Science straightened out this confusion in a most practical, logical, and usable way.
In our travels in Navy life, I used Christian Science; but it seemed I did so only in dire emergencies and for healing and not protection. It was always there to lean on, but I never seemed to appreciate its true worth.
A few years ago I was told that I had a serious throat condition and that surgery must be performed immediately. I was told that my vocal cords were to be removed, but I was assured that there were new ways that I might be taught to speak again. I was also told that it would take quite a long time to learn to talk again.
I was quite upset and asked the doctors for time to make up my mind. I was told that I could have a few days and that during this period I must not speak or attempt to use my voice in any manner, and then one of the doctors added that even after surgery I would never be able to sing. Now I had never had a good singing voice, but when I went home this thought of never singing again was the one thing that bothered me. I felt that singing was the expressing of joy and harmony, and I knew that God's man could not be kept from expressing any of His qualities.
I began right then an earnest study of Christian Science by means of the weekly Lesson-Sermons, provided in the Christian Science Quarterly. I gave extra attention to the Scriptural selections and the Responsive Reading. I might add that at this time we were in an overseas base, and the nearest Reading Room was sixty-five miles away. I did not even have a current Quarterly; but not wanting any delay of right action, I used an old one until I could get into the city or have someone get the new one for me.
I did not return to the hospital until three months later after we had received orders back to the United States. Because of these orders, I was required to go and have a complete physical examination. The same doctors examined me again and again and found not the slightest evidence of the former serious trouble, and I submitted to a biopsy for their further proof. They were amazed. I was grateful. My voice is normal, and I sing with gratitude.
Our family has been blessed in so many ways. We have had healings of rheumatic fever, the effects of falls from horses, and ear problems. We have always found adequate housing when knowing that God places all His ideas and that man's home is spiritual and always present. The renewal of friendship and family harmony has been experienced when false traits of resentment and injured feelings, self-pity, and self-righteousness were removed from consciousness.
I am sincerely grateful for the priceless gem of Christian Science, which shines brighter with constant use. I feel deep gratitude for Christ Jesus, our Way-shower, and for Mary Baker Eddy, who gave of herself to give to others. I am grateful too for the privilege of membership and the opportunity to service in a Christian Science Society, for our wonderful Reading Rooms, which offer the truth to their communities, for the patient practitioners, who give to us the cup of cold water when we most need it, and for the rewarding privilege of membership in The Mother Church.— Brunswick, Georgia.
I am pleased to confirm my wife's testimony. I know that she was virtually overwhelmed with fear initially and that again man's extremity became God's opportunity. Evelyn's healing and continued advancement in Christian Science have blessed us all, and we are very grateful.—
