Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer...

Ruth E. Wilson

Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, tells us in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 13): "Love is impartial and universal in its adaptation and bestowals. It is the open fount which cries, 'Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters.'"

When Christian Science was presented to me, I felt a hunger and thirst for a better way of living. My first visit to a Church of Christ, Scientist, proved the efficacy of presence and power of God. The Lesson-Sermon in the Christian Science Quarterly was "Love." In my earlier orthodox church a God as love had not been made understandable or practical; so I was particularly interested in this service. During the reading of the Lesson-Sermon resentment, prejudice, and antagonism toward Christian Science dissolved. I knew that I had found the pearl of great price. This enlightenment brought about a more generous thought, which was manifested in my offering when the collection was taken.

This was the start of a new birth in my experience. Fleshly ills began to dissolve. Nervousness disappeared and with it the habit of gossiping, for with the understanding that there is no sensation in matter I could not make material experiences appear sensational.

Oak poisoning, which had bothered me since my early childhood, disappeared without my realizing it. Some time ago I spent a summer in the country and had almost daily contact with the plant. Then I realized that all fear of it was gone and that my healing had taken place. I am grateful to know that God never made a poisonous plant, for we are told in the Bible (Gen. 1:31), "God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good."

For about five years a very ugly case of eczema was manifested on one leg. Within a week after I asked for help from a practitioner and endeavored to dissolve all irritation in my thought, the skin was normal. When my family relations were discordant, this same practitioner lovingly told me to read the chapter on Prayer in Science and Health. After a short time harmony was brought about in a very unexpected way.

A passage from the first page of this chapter on Prayer, "Desire is prayer," helped me to overcome envy. An unruly tongue was brought under control when I read the Bible words (James 3:5): "The tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!" Boasting was replaced with humility and selflessness, and greater stability of thought was manifested.

Wrong timing in my sense of rhythm while playing the piano was corrected while I was visiting a branch church. During the organist's playing of the voluntary, an illumination of peace, order, and harmony came to me, and thereafter piano playing became a more joyful experience. Music that had once seemed beyond my ability to play became easy for me.

I am very grateful for membership in The Mother Church and a branch church. Church activities have been a source of much spiritual progress. I am especially grateful for the leavening truth in our Lesson-Sermons, for it is blessing thousands daily.—(Mrs.) Ruth E. Wilson, Placerville, California.

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