Extracts from Letters
"About three years ago I joined the Army, and was in due course sent to France. In the two years I have been out there, I have proved God's protecting care. I am also deeply grateful for the small 'Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures' which was sent me from the Publishing House. It has been my constant companion.
"I had a remarkable demonstration the latter end of last year. At that time I was attached to the infantry. We were just hanging on to our front line trenches—or what remained of them—and as morning broke, ten of us in advancing got cut off from the rest, and were by midday practically surrounded and with no hope of escape. The only officer with us suggested that it was 'all up;' but these words came to me (Hymnal, p. 14):—
Fight the good fight with all thy might,
Christ is thy strength, and Christ thy right.
"Soon it came to us that we ought to try to get out of this trap and at once; so we commenced to crawl in single file, not knowing which way was the correct one, but I just knew that divine Love would show us the way. After a crawl of three hours (which seemed as many days) we at last to our great joy found ourselves in touch with some more of our own men. All the time I just hung on to the truth, and I was indeed grateful for this deliverance.
"About five months ago I again found myself in the front line trenches, at the time the enemy began their offensive. On the third day, early in the morning, I was blown up, but was able to carry on. Some hours later (about midday) I was again blown up and buried, with four others. I remembered nothing more until three days later, when I found myself in hospital and on my way to England. It was about this time that I heard the other men buried with me were killed. I arrived in hospital in England and was medically examined (according to army regulations), and it was found that I had no marks on my body and was not injured in any way. I had partly lost my voice, and could not keep still. My first thoughts were to demonstrate the truth and remember I was in God's care. Three days afterwards my mother came down to visit me and I was able to walk down the ward to meet her and to talk to her.
"I can never express my gratitude for all the blessings I have received. I am also most grateful for all the literature that has been sent me by friends in America, and for all the kindness I have received from members of the Christian Science church at Oxford, where I was last in hospital. Words cannot express all my gratitude for Christian Science, for through it I have been able to demonstrate that God is Love."
"I am so deeply grateful for our periodicals, each in its rightful place, that I should like to share with you my gratitude and blessing this hour. In January of last year our problem, which was a very serious one of supply, to our mortal sense had not been solved through our study of Christian Science, and I came to the conclusion I was not applying Science correctly. At this time I decided to be obedient to our Manual, as a member of The Mother Church, even though I could only see debts and needs everywhere. I therefore subscribed to all the periodicals. The Monitor was first. And truly obedience brought the answer, for before I had received my paper I was given work that was valued at twelve dollars a week and did not take me from my home and house duties. From then on I have had no more supply problem. Later on my husband saw so clearly this beautiful proof that he too subscribed for the Monitor and began giving his tenth to our church. He secured a position, and today his salary is double what he ever earned before.
"But we find now that we are not alone grateful for the money; this is surely 'added' unto us as a result of seeking first the kingdom of God, Love. Our dear Leader tells us (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 117) that 'obedience is the off-spring of Love,' and the Master said, 'Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.'"
[From a soldier then at the front]
"I have a great deal to be grateful for. I first got a sniper's bullet through the back of the neck. I fell to the ground declaring aloud that God is my life. In a few minutes I got up, put a bandage around my neck, and went ahead. That was about noontime, and I lasted until late the next afternoon when a high explosive struck rather close and put a piece of steel in my knee; but it didn't break it. I lay for a few minutes declaring that Mind governs the universe, then got up and was able to get back to the ambulances. I asked a Y. M. C. A. worker to tell our Christian Science chaplain, and I am sure he got word to him. I am getting along fine, expect to be back soon on the job. I am right glad I know something of Christian Science. When those shells land around you, it takes constant knowing to realize that matter hasn't power, and it is the duty of every Scientist to work constantly. When we can all realize that error can make no opposition to the truth, things will go even better than they are now. This is all a wonderful experience and I would not miss it."
"I wish to express my deep gratitude for all that Christian Science has done for me. Divine Love has met my needs through the War Relief fund of The Mother Church in Boston; it has been the angel of salvation in my distress."
"Your loving letter and help have been received with unspeakable joy and gratitude. I was in distress and am now relieved and accept with deepest gratitude this unexpected help from the War Relief fund. My husband, an eager attendant at our services, could not believe that besides all the help we should also receive money; he will refund it later, as soon as he can do so."
