When I was a new student of Christian Science, I was eager "to see it work." What I was learning from reading the textbook, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, sounded terrific. But I was a little skeptical about whether I could experience a healing without using any material means.
At the time, having always suffered from hay fever allergies, I took prescription medicine to relieve the attacks of sneezing and nasal congestion. I had been attending a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, for a few months when I decided I would not renew the prescription or buy any over-the-counter remedies. During the next sneezing attack I called the friend who had introduced me to Science. She lovingly suggested I study Hymn No. 144 in the Christian Science Hymnal. The opening lines are: "In atmosphere of Love divine,/We live, and move, and breathe." I held to the fact that the true atmosphere surrounding me was filled with divine Love, and that in divine Love nothing could exist that would be capable of causing an attack of sneezing. Every time I started having such an attack, I would hold to this and other spiritual truths contained in that hymn.
Full freedom from hay fever came over a period of months. One day I realized it had been many weeks since I'd sneezed or had any of the symptoms of hay fever that had plagued me all my life. This healing was a beacon during my first years in Science because the demonstration was irrefutable. When I had moments of doubt or felt my understanding of Science was insufficient to heal, I could always look at my complete freedom from hay fever and know that Science does heal.
