During the night about two years...

Bette Eastman with contributions from Charles J. Eastman, Jr.

During the night about two years ago I was awakened by severe pain in my arm. By morning I became frightened at the evidence, recalling what I had heard in regard to the symptoms of blood poisoning.

I was led to turn to a copy of The Christian Science Journal and to read an article entitled "The Armor of Divinity." I read it through once and then again. The author quoted from the Bible (Eph. 6:13–17). The thirteenth verse reads, "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."

I read all of the verses, and by the time I had finished reading them for the second time, I had put on "the whole armour of God" or, in other words, I had recognized my perfect, spiritual selfhood as a child of God. I felt released from all fear, and the pain began to leave my arm. I was soon completely free.

Later that day, the power of God was to save me from what might have been a fatal accident. During the morning my husband and I were shopping, and as we came out of a shop the suggestion of death presented itself to me so forcibly that I knew it must be handled immediately. I sat quietly as we drove home, thinking back to the article that had helped me earlier, and again endeavored to put on the armor of divinity.

We had invited friends over for the afternoon to help us celebrate the completion of our swimming pool; and as we were to have dinner later, I had a roast barbecuing on the electric rotisserie near the edge of the pool.

I got out of the swimming pool, and not thinking about water and electricity at all, I stood in a little pool of water, picked up a pair of pliers, and started to tighten a screw on the rotisserie. As the pliers touched the screw, there was a bolt of flame and I was thrown to the ground. I landed heavily on my spine. The sharp-cornered rotisserie containing red hot coals fell on my bare legs, cutting and burning them.

I could not release the pliers, and electricity was charging all through me. The only thing I could manage to say was, "God." As I did so, I was able to release the pliers.

The five children in the pool close by did not see all this happen, and my friend had momentarily gone into the house. Just at the moment of my release she came out and exclaimed, "What happened?" I got to my feet, excused myself, and went inside to thank God for my deliverance.

Although I was cut and burned and my spine was bruised, I was able to continue with the party. Within a few days the burns, cuts, and bruises were entirely healed. This experience proved to me that when we turn to God, we find Him at hand to help and heal us.

This testimony would not be complete if I did not express my deep gratitude for membership in The Mother Church and in a branch church and for class instruction; also for Christian Science, given to all mankind by Mary Baker Eddy.—(Mrs.)Bette Eastman, Sherman Oaks, California.

I gratefully acknowledge God's omnipotence in my wife's victory over the material evidence of accident. This is but one of many wonderful demonstrations of God's loving protection and care which our family has experienced.

I should also like to express my gratitude for the lectures on Christian Science. It was during the first lecture I ever attended that I was instantaneously freed from longtime slavery to tobacco and alcohol. This healing led to membership in The Mother Church and in a branch church and, later, to class instruction. I am most grateful for Christian Science.—Charles J. Eastman, Jr.

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