In "Science and Health with...

Neva P. Arnold

In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary-Baker Eddy (p. 571) we read, "Know thyself, and God will supply the wisdom and the occasion for a victory over evil." This statement has been proved to me many times. One outstanding experience has been of great help not only to me but to others who know of it.

Twelve years ago, when the business depression was at its worst, I was left with three dependent children, no job, no friends, no home, and enough money to last possibly two weeks. Although I was a student of Christian Science, the hopelessness of my situation, the mesmerism of the times, fear of want for my children, claimed to overpower me at times. Often it seemed impossible to go on, but I continued in spite of obstacles.

In previous years I had been a high school teacher, but there were no positions available in such critical times, and, besides, this was my opportunity to prove that primarily Mind, and not a salary, was my source of supply. In my extremity I took a course of training to sell an encyclopedia. Afterwards I was sent to a town where business conditions were unusually bad, and it was impossible to sell anything. I continued my work, however, though mortal mind insisted that I was afraid, discouraged, exhausted, and miserable. All these claims were proved powerless to destroy what I had learned of true substance during my years of study of Christian Science. "Substance is that which is eternal and incapable of discord and decay" (ibid., p. 468). I had learned that God is Mind, and that man is His idea; therefore man and all that concerns him are spiritually mental, and exist independently of mortal mind with all its claims. That understanding of substance could not be touched by error. Even though error kept on screaming, the truth prevailed, and "day by day the manna fell," as the Christian Science hymn (No. 46) reads. Our daily requirements were met, and we never once lacked anything we needed.

We were in that town for eighteen months, during which time my eldest child graduated from high school and entered the local college. We moved to another town, which proved to be a progressive step, and more supply was manifested. The second child graduated from high school. After two and a half years we moved again, which was another progressive step. I was able to send both children away to college at one time. Our supply has been ample during the years that have followed. I have learned that all I need is to follow Jesus' admonition, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

The two older children are through school and working, and I am still engaged in the same work; but what I am really doing is trying to prove daily the supremacy of Spirit. Daily it is proved to me that "all is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation" (ibid., p. 468). Matter can neither help me nor hinder me. I wish to express my gratitude for the practitioner whose loving help sustained me while I was working out this problem. My only desire is to gain a better understanding of God and to prove His allness. I am grateful for progress in this direction.—(Mrs.) Neva P. Arnold, Denver, Colorado.

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