"Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift" is a...

John Matthew Moir with contributions from Ethel Moir

"Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift" is a statement from the Bible that expresses my heartfelt gratitude for the blessings received from Christian Science.

I have had many proofs of God's ever-present help in times of need. One proof of the healing power of Christian Science which was very outstanding to me, and for which I have never ceased to be grateful, was the healing my mother received when she was said to be suffering from the last stages of cancer. I was on duty in camp, not long after the end of the World War, when a telegram came to me stating that my mother was dangerously ill. I had not been studying Science long, and had to work hard, with the meager understanding I had, to overcome fear. I eventually saw a police message of verification, which stated that my mother had only a few hours to live, but the promise, "He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee," was a greater help to me. I traveled home singing hymns of thanksgiving, and with a peace in my heart which was not of the earth.

When I arrived home, I obtained the help of a Christian Science practitioner. I myself was healed of bowel trouble, and some weeks later my mother was healed. When I saw her again, I was simply astounded at the change, for her condition far exceeded my expectations, and for a moment I wondered if I were dreaming, but then I realized that actually a bad dream had been expelled.

In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy says (p. 424), "Accidents are unknown to God, or immortal Mind, and we must leave the mortal basis of belief and unite with the one Mind, in order to change the notion of chance to the proper sense of God's unerring direction and thus bring out harmony." While working in a coal mine, I was crushed between some small wagons loaded with coal. Fear tried to suggest internal injury, but I struggled to realize the truth of our Leader's words, "Accidents are unknown to God," and this statement eventually calmed my thought. I went home, however, and in three days, without any material aid, I was able to walk several miles without discomfort.

A few years ago I had retired to bed one night when I felt a strange numbness in my body, and with this came an utter loss of the desire to resist the trouble. My wife came to me with Science and Health and read several passages aloud. I was quickly restored to a normal condition, the numbness and apathy having fled before the light of Truth. Never before did I realize so clearly that Truth is indeed our Life, and that matter has nothing whatever to do with it.

During recent air-raid warnings in the place where I live, I have been grateful for the statement of reality by our beloved Leader which reads (ibid., p. 520): "The depth, breadth, height, might, majesty, and glory of infinite Love fill all space. That is enough!"

In conclusion, I sincerely desire to express my gratitude to our great Way-shower, Christ Jesus; to our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, for her unselfish obedience and devotion; and to all the noble army of workers in the Cause.

I am grateful to be a member of The Mother Church and of a Christian Science Society, having served in the latter as Reader and in other ways. I feel much joy in knowing that all willing students are giving humble and grateful service for the Cause, so that, in the words of Hymn No. 82 in the Christian Science Hymnal,

The earth shall be filled with the glory of God
As the waters cover the sea.

—John Matthew Moir, Annifield Plain, Durham, England.

I gladly corroborate my husband's testimony and am extremely grateful for many healings in Christian Science.

One of these was the healing of eczema. This condition appeared about a year after I had taken up the study of Christian Science. I was very fearful at the time, for I had had the trouble when a girl and had been told by the doctor that there was no cure for it. Help was asked from a practitioner, and in two weeks the condition had yielded. There has been no return of the trouble, and it is now about twelve years since the healing took place.

Christian Science has been my only physician for over thirteen years, and I have experienced better health than ever before. I am grateful for a better understanding of God and of man's relation to Him.

Mrs. Eddy says in Science and Health (p. 261), "Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts." As I have held on to good thoughts many discordant conditions have been solved.

I am very grateful to God; to Christ Jesus, the Way-shower; to our dear Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, who worked unselfishly to give this truth to the world; and also to the kind and loving practitioners who help us when called upon. It is a great and happy privilege to be a member of The Mother Church and of one of its branches. I am grateful for having been able to serve in church activities.

(Mrs.) Ethel Moir, Annfield Plain, Durham, England.

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