Testimony of Healing September 9, 1950 Issue

The study of Christian Science...

David S. Ricard

The study of Christian Science has opened my eyes to the evidence of God's unfailing guidance and support throughout my human experience. Again and again the understanding of God, as revealed to us by Mary Baker Eddy on page 465 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," and the realization that man is God's manifestation have brought me joy, freedom, and protection.

My mother, healed of chronic constipation in her girlhood by Christian Science treatment, enrolled me in the Sunday School. During early years I attributed little importance to the instruction received there. I took for granted the fact that in times of illness a Christian Science practitioner was called and the illness disappeared. However, at the age of twelve I had an experience which threw a new light on this subject for me. I had gone to swim at the local beach, which was a narrow strip of sand on the lake side of a five-foot breakwater. As I stepped to the edge to jump down onto the hard, wet sand, my foot slipped. I literally fell flat on my face. People behind me screamed, then they gasped with astonishment when I sprang up like a rubber ball, unhurt, and ran into the water. Indeed, I was somewhat surprised myself. At that moment the thought came to me, Why, this is what my Sunday School teacher means by God's protection!

The adjustments of high school years seemed particularly painful to me. I was oppressed by a sense of inferiority and friendlessness which was so acute that I received failing grades in all courses and underwent a mental breakdown, which necessitated my leaving school for a short period. Although not a word was spoken to persuade me to do so, before returning to school I had begun studying the Lesson-Sermons in the Christian Science Quarterly. There is no doubt in my thought that this study resulted from the gentle impelling presence of God, which each individual must inevitably recognize. Satisfying activity, happy companionship, and fruitful academics all appeared in rapid succession on my return to school. Through the acceptance of my identity as the reflection of infinite Love and supreme Mind self-righteousness was replaced with assurance, self-condemnation with humility, and self-pity with love.

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