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.
The words of the former practitioner then came to me, "God is right here now." My eyes fell on Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy. I seized it and opened it at random. Five words stood out: "'Man's extremity is God's opportunity.'" This statement is part of a long paragraph on page 266 of the textbook. It was all I needed. "God, this is Your opportunity, for it is certainly my extremity," I murmured. Fear left. Confidence and peace came. I felt God's nearness. In a few minutes the smiling face of the nurse appeared over the stair railing. "All is well," she said. "We do not require the doctor." The problem had been quickly resolved by my turning to ever-present God.
Shortly after this, many problems arose. I needed to know more of God, and how to pray more effectively. My wife and I accordingly arranged to visit a Christian Science practitioner alone, in alternate weeks. We did not ask for treatment. There were no physical ills. We wanted to learn more of God and of the man He made in His image and likeness. It was a happy and rewarding experience. We both progressed in our understanding of Christian Science. I frequently laughed at my former question, "How can I get to God?" To my understanding God was becoming nearer—a more and more present help.
Our second child was born with the same Christian Science nurse in attendance, but this time without pain or complications of any kind.
After several months of talks with the practitioner, she one day remarked that we were ready to attend the class of a Christian Science teacher. We ceased our talks and in due course applied to a teacher, and were both accepted for class. This was a wonderfully happy experience. Any lingering questions about "How can I get to God?" were completely answered by the class instruction. We learned why God was constantly with us, how we could call on Him for help at any time, and that this loving help would always be forthcoming.
Christ Jesus fully understood God's constant presence. He once said (John 11:41, 42), "Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always." The Master didn't have to "get to God." He knew that God was always with him.
An understanding of the nearness of God and the truth of man's spiritual being has greatly enriched my life. I am grateful for Mrs. Eddy for having made this understanding possible through her writings and the periodicals which she established. I am grateful for my years spent in Christian Science Sunday School, for long membership in The Mother Church, and for class instruction.
Los Angeles, California
