How can I express my gratitude adequately for Christian Science? It has been my joy and guide for nearly half a century! Not only has Science come to my rescue in physical, financial, and business ills, and the many daily little affairs, but it has given me a spiritual understanding of the teaching of Christ Jesus. The prayer to more fully understand Christ Jesus' teaching brought me into Christian Science. Church membership has brought a further answer to this prayer, encouraging me and bringing joy and confidence where diffidence once reigned.
Over the years, as a Christian Scientist, I have had only four days enforced absence from business or duties because of illness. This in itself makes me grateful for the sustaining power of Truth. Christian Science class instruction, too, was a glorious step forward.
One of my earliest healings was the overcoming of a temperature of 104. This healing was attained with the help of a Christian Science practitioner. I decided not to leave a sentence in Science and Health until I understood it. The first sentence in the opening chapter, "Prayer," did the work: "The prayer that reforms the sinner and heals the sick is an absolute faith that all things are possible to God,—a spiritual understanding of Him, an unselfed love." When I came to these last three words, "an unselfed love," I realized I had not unselfed myself. I was loving a poor sick mortal— an impossibility, for God is Love. I cannot love independently of God, who is the only underived Love, but I reflect Love! This recognition, with the treatment of the practitioner, healed me.
