At an early age I attended a Christian Science Sunday School. I saw my aunt, with whom I was then living, completely healed through Christian Science treatment of severe rheumatism. I saw her give up her crutches, and soon afterward she climbed with me the steep iron steps inside the Statue of Liberty. It was truly proof of complete liberation from the crippling condition. Later, I turned to my aunt for Christian Science treatment whenever I felt a physical need. Her prayer was always effective. I was always quickly healed.
Soon after graduation from college I had an opportunity to work in London, England. It was there that I found myself dependent on my scant knowledge of Christian Science. Some may have rubbed off on me in Sunday School, but I had no basic understanding of how to adequately help myself through prayer, and I had no aunt to turn to. I did know that I could go to a Christian Science practitioner for help. And that I did. I asked him, "How can I get to God with all my problems?" I shall never forget his smiling reply. "You do not have to get to God, because God is right here now." He made many other statements which I did not then understand nor remember. But I left his office with renewed confidence in Christian Science and in my ability to demonstrate its healing power.
When our first child was born, my wife had a Christian Science nurse who, because of her previous medical nursing experience, was a skilled obstetrician. The medical laws of Great Britain did not then require a doctor's attendance in such cases. Only in specified emergencies did a doctor have to be called. Such an emergency arose. The afterbirth was delayed. "If it doesn't come in fifteen minutes," the nurse told me, "I am required to call a doctor. You had better telephone the practitioner for prayerful help." I went to the phone—but was unable to reach the practitioner. I panicked.
