For over fifty years the practice of Christian Science has met my every need. My parents were introduced to Science by some neighbors when my younger brother was seriously ill with pneumonia. When these neighbors learned that doctors had given up the case, they suggested that my parents try Christian Science. A Christian Science practitioner was called, and my brother was healed in a few days. Soon after, he, my sister, and I were enrolled in a Christian Science Sunday School, and our parents began attending church services. At that time our parents were members of another Protestant church, but they soon relinquished this membership so they could join the local branch Church of Christ, Scientist. Thus began my experience with this wonderful teaching.
One winter, when I was in my late teens, something happened which both tested and strengthened my trust in God and my understanding of Christian Science. The previous summer I had begun to study Science earnestly; it was becoming more important in my day-to-day living. At the time, I was working in a service station in order to have enough money to go to college the next year. One morning after opening the station, I prepared to start the fire in the coal stove. (The stove stood in a hallway between the office area and the salesroom.) Customarily the fire was started by dousing the coal with kerosene. This particular morning, however, when I poured the fluid on the coal and put a match to it, there was an explosion that engulfed the hallway—and me—in flames. Inadvertently, someone had put gasoline in the kerosene can!
My first impulse was to run, and I headed toward the salesroom. But then divine Mind's directing took hold. I ran back through the flames and grabbed my overcoat, which was hanging in the hallway. On reaching the office, I lay down on the floor and rolled up in the coat, extinguishing the flames. A man from a garage across the street ran over with a fire extinguisher and put out the fire.
