The strong desire to express my gratitude for Christian Science by becoming a member of The Mother Church and a branch church, enabled me to free myself from the habits of cigarette smoking and social drinking. In the healing of smoking, a very helpful citation reads in part (II Cor. 6:17, 18): "Touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." Church membership continues to be a great joy and privilege.
It was sorrow at the passing of my mother that had forced me to examine my position as a nonchurch-member and question what my values really were. Mrs. Eddy tells us in Science and Health (p. 377), "If grief causes suffering, convince the sufferer that affliction is often the source of joy, and that he should rejoice always in ever-present Love." Hymns in the Christian Science Hymnal were of special comfort at this time, particularly No. 359, with the words "Trust the Eternal," and No. 148, which begins, "In heavenly Love abiding,/No change my heart shall fear," as well as the last stanza of Mrs. Eddy's poem "Love" set to music (Hymn No. 30):
Thou to whose power our hope we give,
Free us from human strife.
Fed by Thy love divine we live,
For Love alone is Life;
And life most sweet, as heart to heart
Speaks kindly when we meet and part.
Through these hymns I gained a higher understanding of God as Love. I realized that I could delay no longer in patterning my life to the right mold, and I became aware of the protection and health I had had while growing up in the healing atmosphere of my parents' home.
Relying on Christian Science to raise a family has been of inestimable help—an ever-present remedy on all occasions. Complete healings of eczema, oak poisoning, measles, chicken pox, influenza, ear infection, minor accidents, as well as continuing evidences of protection, constitute some of our blessings.
For my own part, I have had physical healings of what appeared to be quinsy sore throat, typhoid fever, and yellow jaundice, as well as miscellaneous aches and pains. And I have had countless instances of divine guidance in decision-making for school attendance, job seeking, relationships, and household moves. A Christian Science practitioner was always available to help through prayer when needed.
One of the great rewards of becoming a student of Christian Science is the continuing blessing of class instruction, which I had soon after joining church. The annual inspiring association addresses progressively enable me to pray and work more scientifically and systematically to promote the Christian Science movement. Mrs. Eddy writes (Science and Health, pp. 444-445): "The teacher must make clear to students the Science of healing, especially its ethics, —that all is Mind, and that the Scientist must conform to God's requirements."
I am grateful every day to God for Mrs. Eddy, who revealed this Science which Christ Jesus practiced. Truly, "Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ" (Rev. 12:10).
La Habra, California
