Testimony of Healing February 21, 1953 ISSUE

Christian Science came into my...

Marie Van Arnum

Christian Science came into my life shortly after World War I when my mother and I were in Washington, District of Columbia. Crowded as that city was, it seemed impossible for us to find an apartment within our means. Through a fellow worker I became acquainted with a very loving woman who said she would be glad to share her apartment with us until we found a suitable place of our own. This woman turned out to be the most unusual person I had ever met. Never at any time did she indulge in petty gossip, become inquisitive regarding our affairs, or impose herself upon us; but she was always ready with a kind word or a helping hand.

After we had been in her home for several months we were greatly surprised one Saturday evening when, as we were preparing to visit a large uptown theater, our hostess said, "Please do not go out tonight; it is best that you stay here." Snow had been falling for two days and nights, and the usual activity of the city was at a standstill. My mother was very eager to travel through the tunnel that had been dug to the theater, which was located within a block of the apartment, but at the request that seemed to us almost a command we removed our coats and hats and returned to the living room, while our hostess went to her room to read.

After three quarters of an hour had elapsed a man came to the door and asked about a key to the church basement. Then he told us what had occurred. The roof of the theater in which we would have been seated had given way under its burden of snow. The nearby Christian Science church had opened its doors to the victims, and the man had come to our hostess for the key to the basement. I well remember the glory of that noble woman's face as she turned from the door and said, "God kept you here." Months later she told me she had spent that day in prayerful contemplation of the defense and protection of her home. Naturally all within her habitation were safe.

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