When our oldest son was about three years old, he came into our bedroom early one morning, complained that he didn't feel well, and then appeared to lose consciousness. His body became rigid, and he seemed to be in a coma. Our fear was great at that moment, particularly the fear that the boy might be passing on. My wife and I began to declare the truths of Christian Science at once—that as a child of God he was exempt from all disease. We called a Christian Science practitioner in a distant city for help through prayer. I shall always be grateful for the practitioner's immediate support and for her calm words of assurance. A short time later the boy regained consciousness, although he did not appear to be in his normal state of health.
That evening another similar attack occurred, but this time the situation was met more quickly, and we were able to care for his physical needs without being frightened by his appearance. My wife and I took turns sitting by his bedside all night, praying as we are taught in Christian Science, reading from the Bible and Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, and singing hymns softly to ourselves. Mrs. Eddy's hymn "The Mother's Evening Prayer" was a wonderful comfort to me, particularly the first verse (Christian Science Hymnal, No. 207):
O gentle presence, peace and joy and power;
O Life divine, that owns each waiting hour,
Thou Love that guards the nestling's faltering
flight!
Keep Thou my child on upward wing tonight.
