I did not seek Christian Science for the physical healing,...

Ella Fay Whalen

I did not seek Christian Science for the physical healing, neither did I seek it to obtain a better knowledge of God, for the sense of God advanced by popular theology—that He is good but permits evil—did not coincide with my line of reasoning, that God is good only. Therefore I dropped the subject of religion at A very early age. However, in due time one who had learned that Christian Science heals and had sought it for that reason asked me to study the subject and I consented.

No word of mine can portray the inspiration which came to me when I read the first sentence in the Preface to the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, "To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, to-day is big with blessings." A new world, beautiful in perspective, was opened to me. I read the textbook from early morning until late at night—it was irresistible, because I had never before read anything along religious lines which appealed to me and satisfied my sense of what I thought God should be. The result was that by the time I had finished reading the book I laid aside the glasses I had worn during my high school and university training. After this healing I continued to read with the same ardor and joy, and about three months later I discovered that an anæmic condition, with its accompanying physical weakness, had also been healed; and I was strong and happy, doing things I had not been able to do for some years.

I shall always be grateful for the year and a half of continual reading and study I was privileged to enjoy at that time. I realize now it was a period of development and unfoldment—a period of preparation for the experiences and activities which followed.

Some years later, while serving on a committee as its secretary, I went to the second floor for some stationery. On my return, as I was about to descend the fourteen-foot stairway, my heel caught on the first step and I plunged headlong down the stairs. Some persons near at hand hastened to my assistance; but I was on my feet before they reached me, somewhat out of breath but otherwise without a bruise or so much as a scratch. I served in the capacity of secretary of the meeting and afterwards walked to my home, a distance of ten blocks. There were no after effects.

While I have learned through the study of Christian Science what it means to be grateful, I find words inadequate to convey its depth of meaning; nevertheless, I know that gratitude, like love, inspires to action, and thus I can best express mine to God "who daily loadeth us with benefits," and to our revered Leader, Mrs. Eddy, for her untiring labors in behalf of mankind.

(Miss) Ella Fay Whalen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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