From early childhood I had the...

Eleise Kern Geddes

From early childhood I had the blessed privilege of growing up in a Christian Science home, where there was much love and happiness expressed, and as a result my existence was harmonious and serene. During these years I experienced many beautiful demonstrations of Truth. Physical difficulties such as colds, severe sunburn, headaches, and indigestion were healed. Extreme shyness was replaced with confidence and poise.

Financial limitation was overcome in my senior year in college and again when I was seeking a position during the depression. Loneliness and lack of wholesome companionship disappeared when I achieved a clearer understanding of what constitutes real friendship and endeavored to reflect Love. Last but not least, through my desire to seek that which is good the way was opened for me to have class instruction from a consecrated teacher of Christian Science. This uplifting experience has greatly aided my progress.

A real testing time came when my parents passed on. The resulting grief left me with a sense of mental numbness and nervous shock, which increased as time went on. I was continually tormented, and it appeared impossible to go on with my daily work. In my extremity my teacher lovingly comforted me. She assured me that in reality nothing was going on but the activity of God and His ideas. She frequently read to me from the Bible and from "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy and patiently stood by me day and night when I needed help.

I was able to continue my daily occupation with only a few knowing of the turmoil I was in. Whenever I would become discouraged I would open Science and Health, which I kept with me constantly, and some passage would stand out to guide me over the rough spot. It seemed difficult for me to understand why I should be faced with this discordant condition when I had generally known good health. Then it was pointed out to me that I had to have the right spiritual idea of health and demonstrate it. As Mrs. Eddy says on page 297 of Science and Health. "It is as necessary for a health-illusion, as for an illusion of sickness, to be instructed out of itself into the understanding of what constitutes health; for a change in either a health-belief or a belief in sickness affects the physical condition."

One night I was unable to get any rest. The sense of nervousness mounted to such a pitch that I became panicky and fearful of death. However, instead of asking for help, as I had heretofore, I remained quietly where I was and turned my thought humbly to God, asking Him for guidance. Then I repeated "the scientific statement of being," on page 468 of Science and Health, striving to realize the meaning of each word. For the first time a great sense of peace came over me as I was able to acknowledge God as the one and only power. I felt then as though I had put my hand in His, and all was well. After this the way grew gradually brighter, and I had a clearer sense of my freedom as a child of God. Eventually a complete healing resulted.

During this experience I realized what it means to be born again. Many unlovely traits of character were dropped, and I was filled with joy, joy that is not dependent on the presence of people, but that comes from the realization of our oneness, or unity, with God, good. I thank God for Christian Science and for the practitioners and friends who lovingly stand by us in our time of greatest need.—(Mrs.) Eleise Kern Geddes, Hamburg, New York.

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