In a Christian Science Sunday School, when very young, I gained a satisfying sense of God's direction. I learned to respect and love the Bible, as well as the textbook by Mrs. Eddy, Science and Health. Particularly in college this textbook was my most precious companion. Once a toe infection threatened to incapacitate me. I sought out my Sunday School teacher. Her treatment, based on her understanding of the textbook, erased my fears, and the pain and infection were healed.
I was deeply affected with the loss of our first child shortly after birth and turned away from my religion. How much I had to learn about true consecration! Selfish, personal pleasures, and materiality engrossed me.
Later a daughter was placed in a nursery in a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, but my husband and I did not attend church services. The fallacy of this approach was uncovered with shocking directness. One evening when I returned home from a party early, I went directly to our little girl's bedside to kiss her good-night. The aura of the cocktail party surrounding me was promptly but sweetly rebuked by the child's innocent comment, "Oh, Mama, you don't smell good!" This unusual rejection jolted me, causing considerable self-examination.
