Testimony of Healing November 8, 1947 Issue

I have learned many lessons in...

Charlotte G. Day

I have learned many lessons in endeavoring to exchange what appeared to be a calamity into an opportunity for spiritual growth since I received the message that my son would not return from his war experience. I have written this testimony hoping that someone who reads it may also be helped to exchange the material beliefs of grief for the joys of spiritual reality.

At first we were lifted up so quickly by the Comforter, Christian Science, that we felt a conviction that our son was still living. We rejoiced that we could think of him as carrying on his work where-ever he found himself, sharing with others the truth of the words of our textbook, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy (p. 251), "In the illusion of death, mortals wake to the knowledge of two facts: (1) that they are not dead; (2) that they have but passed the portals of a new belief." Through the many references from the Bible and our Leader's writings which came to us in wonderful letters and messages from loving friends and the inspiring articles in the periodicals, we glimpsed the eternal Christ and saw man as never born and never dying. It was as if our son were repeating Mrs. Eddy's interpretation of the words attributed by the Revelator to the Son of man, "And, behold, I am alive for evermore, [Science has explained me]" (ibid., p. 334).

However, when the war was over and our son's friends came home, we found it a real testing time. One day, after two of his friends had been telling us of their experiences and narrow escapes, I found I had specific work to do to maintain my elevation of thought. As a result of seeking fresh spiritual light, it seemed as if my son were not far away but close at hand, saying something like this: Those men need your help now more than ever. If you spend time thinking about and missing me, you will be letting them down. You know I am all right. Now stop thinking about me and think how you can help them. This strengthened my desire to welcome these loved boys home again and to help them in every possible way. And this brought great joy to our home.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Testimony of Healing

When a young girl, I required...