Article May 9, 1903 Issue

Under the Shadow of the Almighty

W. SCOTT ILIFF.

BROUGHT up in an established church, I was, when Christian Science first came to my notice, an active member of a suburban branch of that church. Choirmaster, superintendent of the Sunday School, and other duties fell to my lot, and in the attempt to discharge them faithfully I was occupied nearly every evening in the week. The Bible was a treasured book, and I thought that I knew it. Possibly as a "book" this was the case, but beyond that it was sealed. This fact, however, was only revealed after the study of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." Although so occupied in church matters I felt impelled to make inquiries about Christian Science, and when it was explained that God was not charged with the authorship of sin, sickness, and death, I was convinced of its correctness and determined to go into it thoroughly. I did so for a while, still keeping up the duties in connection with the church of my childhood, but the progress was imperceptible, and gradually Christian Science began to drop out of my daily thoughts. The seed had, however, been sown and, although I was unaware of it, was growing in me; and in God's own time appeared above the ground (self). The study of the Quarterly was then commenced (in conjunction with the Bible and Science and Health), but as I had not proved anything it was not what could be termed "hearty study." This was changed very shortly, as one night I was called upon to prove that "Divine Love always has met, and always will meet, every human need" (Science and Health, p. 494). To me it was a severe test, as I had had no previous experience with children, and the subject was my little boy, a baby about six months old. The case was as follows:—

On returning from the office one Tuesday afternoon, my wife, who, by the way, is not a student of Christian Science, remarked that baby seemed restless. I accordingly commenced to treat him to the best of my ability, but without any apparent success. Towards night he got worse, the trouble appearing to be in his throat. As night advanced the malady increased, till at last the child was to all appearance choking. This gave opportunity to error to say, What will happen if the child dies without "proper" medical attendance? Is your knowledge of Christian Science equal to the emergency? Overcome with these and the numberless "ifs" set forth by error, I took the boy to his mother and stated that I was unequal to the occasion and intended to go for a practitioner. Her reply was to the effect that if there was anything at all in Christian Science I ought to be able to make the demonstration. Taking the little sufferer again I carried him out on to the verandah. Then it was that the realization of the omnipotence of God, that He is Love, seemed to shut out all else. All was light and peace, and I felt that I had heard God speak to me, saying, "Leave the boy in My care. He is safe under the shadow of My wings." The calm that followed will never be forgotten. I took the boy back to his cot, he was sound asleep, the malady completely destroyed, and we heard nothing more of him until the morning, when he awoke quite his usual self.

From that day to this I have never ceased the study of Science and Health and the weekly lesson, and many, and, to mortal sense, marvelous, have been the demonstrations not only for myself and others, but for animals also.

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