When one owes his very being to the demonstration of God's presence and power, how near one feels to the all-encompassing Father-Mother Love!
After my mother had lost two of her first three children at birth, she was told by a physician that she ought never to have another child, since it might mean losing her own life. Although my father was not at that time a student of Christian Science, he advised my mother to go for help to a Christian Science practitioner. The birth of a fourth child was without complications and was entirely harmonious. I am grateful to have been that child. As a result of this experience both my parents began to study Christian Science, and I witnessed many proofs of its healing power in our home.
I shall relate two comparatively recent experiences of Christian Science healing which have meant a great deal to me. About six years ago I wrenched my back severely and was in much pain. I could scarcely rise after sitting for any length of time.
At that time I was serving as First Reader of a branch church, and I recalled a testimony which had been given at a Wednesday evening meeting some little time before by a former Reader. He told of having injured his foot so severely that he felt it would be impossible for him to take his place at the desk on Sunday. He called for help from a practitioner, who told him: "You can be in your place. You stand on the platform of Christian Science." He began an earnest study of the platform of Christian Science as given by Mrs. Eddy in Science and Health (pp. 330-340), and he was able to carry out his duties on Sunday with almost no inconvenience.
I too knew that I was standing on the platform of Christian Science and that this platform was sufficient support for my right activity. A student of Christian Science worked prayerfully for me, and some days later the words "God is Love" were illumined for me. I saw that God's love is supporting His church and everyone in it. Shortly thereafter I forgot all about the difficulty. I was healed. A few years later I again strained my back when lifting a heavy object. The thought came immediately: "I do not have to work out the same problem twice. I already know the answer. I am going to church and express gratitude again for that healing which took place years ago." I drove the car to church with much effort and lifted myself from the seat in church by grasping the back of the seat in front of me. But I gave the testimony, and when I left the church I was free from pain and stiffness.
In November, 1954, it was necessary for me to make a quick trip from San Francisco, California, to Spokane, Washington. I expected to catch a plane to Portland, Oregon, where I would make connections with a plane for Spokane. Because of fog, however, the plane was unable to land at Portland. The situation looked hopeless, and I was tempted to believe that under these circumstances I could not possibly arrive at the necessary time. But I placed my trust in God and knew that, no matter what the material evidence, man is not subject to the limitations of time and space.
The plane flew on over Portland to Seattle, and when I went to the ticket office to discover what connections I could make with a plane for Spokane, the agent at the ticket window said, "There is room for you in a Stratocruiser leaving here in three hours. You know, this is one of those queer things that occasionally happen in the air transportation business. You will get to Spokane five minutes earlier than you were originally scheduled to land there; you will fly on a much better plane; and you will get a refund on your ticket, because Seattle is nearer Spokane than Portland is."
I am grateful to God for His loving, unfailing care, to Christ Jesus, who showed us how to live so as to be in constant relation with this Love, and to Mrs. Eddy, whose consecration and faithfulness have made available to all the understanding of God through her discovery and establishment of Christian Science.— San Francisco, California.
