Article July 18, 1994 Issue

Science and Health—a book for studying, for healing, for sharing

G. P. D.

In the summer of 1989, I attended a four-day real estate seminar. The second day of the seminar, the speaker asked the audience to write down what it was that we feared or hesitated to do. I wrote down, "I hesitate to share Christian Science with non-Christian Scientists." The instructor then emphasized that we needed to overcome our fears if we expected to be truly successful in real estate or in any other endeavor in life. He then said, "This seminar is recessed for two hours in order for you to conquer the feared thing you wrote down."

After getting over my initial shock, I purchased a package of six copies of Science and Health at a local Reading Room and sought a means of handing them out. An opportunity presented itself when I saw a group of homeless men in a park. My heart started pounding as I walked up a grassy knoll with them watching my approach. As I reached the eight men, one was wielding a machete. When I saw that the knife was being used to prepare food, I felt a little more comfortable in staying. Four individuals in the group were receptive and wanted to share their ideas about God and life. I actually did very little talking, but instead learned a great deal about my fellowman. Each of the four gratefully accepted a copy of Science and Health. I departed after an hour's visit, marveling at the Christ in operation.

The final day of the seminar I had another opportunity to share the textbook. I was eating lunch outdoors in a rather secluded area when two men approached me in a forceful manner asking for a large sum of money. After a quiet second of inspiration I responded, "If I had that kind of money on me we could all catch a plane to Tahiti!" We all laughed, which broke the tension. I then offered them some of my lunch and asked, "Do you fellows like to read?" They said they did, to which I responded, "Don't go away, I'm going to get a wonderful book for you." I retrieved the two remaining copies of Science and Health from the trunk of my car and shared them with the men, for which they were genuinely appreciative.

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