Eleven years ago I began the study of Christian Science, not with an expectation of a physical healing but more for peace of mind. Being a member of an orthodox church and a student of the Bible, I had had many prayers answered, but ill health had been almost a constant companion. I had nearly resigned myself to semi-invalidism. There were indications of a heart ailment, and the doctor had prescribed medication to relieve the pain.

Praying to God to show me the way of truth, I began the study of the textbook, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy. I started with the chapter "Footsteps of Truth," accepting that which I could understand, and since I was willing to wait for divine revelation in regard to those points which were not clear, a new experience began for me. Within a week the medicine was thrown away and I was healed of the heart ailment. Since that time I have been stronger, in better health, and progressively free from fear.

By practicing and proving the truth contained in this wonderful book, I have had healings of burns, injuries, and broken bones. A better sense of home, supply, business, and human relationships has been gained. Truly Christian Science is the Comforter, promised by Christ Jesus and given to us by our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy.

At the beginning of my study of Christian Science, a painful condition with a rash developed on our son's body. His father applied a material remedy to it before retiring, but during the night the boy awakened in pain, got up, and asked me to please do something for him. I asked him to choose between medicine and God, and he chose God.

So I began reading aloud the Lesson-Sermon for that week, set out in the Quarterly. Included in the Bible selections was the following passage from Isaiah (45:5): "I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me." When we finished this, he exclaimed, "I am all right," and went back to bed.

The following day there was some discussion of what the malady might be called, and I mentioned a certain illness by name. Our son then recalled that on a previous day, a young medical student had been in the place where he had a part-time job and had been describing in detail this particular ailment.

That night there was a return of the rash, but a much-needed lesson was learned. In Science and Health we read (p. 453), "You should treat sickness mentally just as you would sin, except that you must not tell the patient that he is sick nor give names to diseases, for such a course increases fear, the foundation of disease, and impresses more deeply the wrong mind-picture." Again, prayer was offered, and these words from our Leader's poem entitled "Communion Hymn" (Poems, p. 75) came to thought with their healing message:

The rash disappeared and has not recurred.

Another healing took place while I was watering shrubs in the yard. A sharp branch of a shrub entered my eye, and immediately the words "transient sense of sight" came to thought. I must have remembered it from a quotation from the textbook which reads (p. 214): "How transient a sense is mortal sight, when a wound on the retina may end the power of light and lens! But the real sight or sense is not lost. Neither age nor accident can interfere with the senses of Soul, and there are no other real senses." Immediately all sense of discomfort and pain left, and the eye was normal.

When I desired to become a member of a branch church, the habit of cigarette smoking had to be given up. This was a challenge, and there were some months of striving. However, an instantaneous healing was received while I was listening to a lecture on Christian Science. It proved not to be a sacrifice, but a freedom, to be released from this bondage. Later, through acknowledging that man is impelled only by God and that false appetites are no part of his nature as the child of God, I was able to eliminate the use of coffee and tea.

Membership in The Mother Church and a branch church has been a wonderful support. The periodicals, including The Christian Science Monitor, have brought inspiration with every issue and often have furnished a table in the wilderness.

I am grateful for class instruction, the blessing of participating in the work of church committees, and the privilege of teaching in Sunday School.—(Mrs.) Dorothy O. Hudgins, Memphis, Tennessee.