The reward of gratitude—God's omnipotence...

The reward of gratitude—God's omnipotence revealed—has been mine many times, and I am daily thankful.

As a child reared by a mother who was a staunch student of Christian Science, I always found my needs were quickly met. Sometimes I would be asked if I would like to have a Christian Science practitioner called. With my assent, treatment was given. My fears would vanish, and healings were always prompt. One instance was when I was sent home on a Friday by the school nurse, who said that I had the measles. A practitioner was engaged, and by Monday morning I was completely healed.

When I started university work, I was attending Christian Science Sunday School regularly, and the teacher was alert in calling the attention of the pupils to the blessings of Mother Church membership. Most of the class joined The Mother Church and became active workers in the Christian Science college organization. It was a period of great growth for me. I gained confidence and a desire to be a working Christian Scientist as a result of associating with other young people who were studying and applying Science and giving testimony of their healings at the weekly meetings.

When my infant son was a few weeks old, I noticed, while bathing him, that he was using the arm and leg on one side only and that there was a noticeable curvature of his spine. My mother, who was with me at the time, observed the same thing. We asked a practitioner to work in Christian Science for the baby. In a matter of weeks the spine was straight and the arm and leg were functioning normally. No one else in the household had known about the problem. The practitioner told me that she had worked particularly with the verses from a poem entitled "Christmas Morn" by Mrs. Eddy. Three of the verses read (Poems, p. 29):

One day, when this child was about five, he came running in from play, complaining that his ear hurt. Soon he began to cry with pain. I took him on my lap and began to sing hymns, seeing him as a child of God. Suddenly the screaming stopped; the child was asleep. In silent awe and gratitude I laid him on his bed. He slept peacefully, and in the morning there was indication on his pillow that a drainage had taken place.

A few years later a hernia and a breathing problem, for which prayerful treatment had been given him from time to time for several years, both disappeared. There were times when I was very fearful because of the symptoms he showed of both of these disorders, but I clung to the fact that he was God's child and placed him totally in God's care. My constant and growing gratitude to God had a part in bringing about my son's healings, I feel sure.

He became strong and active, an excellent underwater swimmer and a good hiker. When he was required to take a thorough physical examination in order to qualify for a private pilot's license, he passed in every way, and later he had no problems when he volunteered to serve in the United States Army.

I myself rarely missed a day from work on account of illness and have passed several physical examinations required for life insurance.

Christian Science has been effectively applied in improving personal relationships, in overcoming fear of school examinations, in proving that man reflects infinite Mind at all times, and in finding my self-completeness demonstrated in being breadwinner, homemaker, and manager of my business affairs. It has been proved so many times I cannot doubt that divine Love will continue to meet my every need. Class instruction in Christian Science has been a constant help. My prayer is that I may be able to do my part in carrying out Christ Jesus' admonitions to "preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15) and (Matt. 10:8) to "heal the sick."

(Mrs.) Harriet Bowker Walsh
Carmel, California