Having always enjoyed and been helped by reading the...

Having always enjoyed and been helped by reading the testimonies in the Christian Science periodicals, I feel the time has come for me to express my gratitude for the many blessings received through the study and application of the truth as taught in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy.

When I was a child I fell and sprained my ankle. It was painful, and swelled so that I could not wear my shoe, nor could I go upstairs, excepting on my hands and knees. We knew nothing of Christian Science at that time, and, as I remember it, it was about three weeks before the sprain was healed. After I became interested in Christian Science, we were living where we had over a mile to walk to take the car, and as I started out, alone, for church one Wednesday evening, I stepped in a hole at the side of the road, turning my foot over in such a way that my ankle was sprained. At first the pain was intense, and the suggestion that I go home came to me, but instead I rested by a tree and quietly tried to realize the allness of God, and then called for a friend, who was going to church with me. We went on our way, walking quickly down the road. I was perfectly free, although at first it seemed as though I should go limping along.

On the first page of the Christian Science pamphlet, "Prayer and Healing," we read, "Because the spiritual presence of God is ever with us, here and now, there is nothing material or mortal with power to make or to mar our happiness." These words have helped to heal me of discontent, rebellion, and self-pity, and since I have put these discordant qualities out, and am keeping them out of my mental home (thought), and am seeing man, including the members of my own family, as the sons of God, reflecting all the qualities of God and nothing else,—peace, happiness, joy, love, and harmony beyond what I could ask or think are mine and nothing can rob me of my birthright. Each day I know there is only one Mind and man is receptive and obedient to the one Mind that harmoniously governs him and all his affairs and relationships. Instead of seeing faults I am knowing facts. Years ago I said to one who had studied Christian Science much longer than I, "When I see faults in any one I overlook them." She said, "No, do not do that; deny them." We learn in Christian Science that nothing is gained by ignoring so-called errors. "Meet every adverse circumstance as its master" (Science and Health, p. 419) is the teaching in our textbook. Let us remember that all error wants is to be let alone, so it can flourish. I am surely grateful to be able to say that, while once our home was unhappy, now it is filled with peace, love, and harmony. Through a right understanding of God and man as taught in the Christian Science textbook and through the help of a faithful practitioner the healing work was accomplished. I must express gratitude for the Christian Science Hymnal, which is a daily help to me. I am most grateful for all of Mrs. Eddy's writings, and for our literature, which always brings just the help I need.