My parents, though not Christian Scientists, enrolled me in the Christian Science Sunday School, so I learned at an early age to rely on God in working out my problems.

After my marriage this reliance on God proved invaluable in the rearing of our family of three children. One experience was the healing of scarlet fever. Our little girl had a light case, and we were near the end of the quarantine period. Then our little boy became quite ill one night. When I called the practitioner who was helping us, she said we must call the health department. I admit I was rather reluctant to do so, hoping the boy would be well before the quarantine period for our daughter was up. But the practitioner said it was required by law that we report the second case, and I did.

I struggled with a great sense of discouragement and disappointment that we had not done our prayerful work thoroughly enough to protect the boy. It was particularly difficult for me because I was alone with the children. My husband had stayed away from home during the quarantine period so that he could continue to go to work.

I tried not to look at the obvious symptoms as I cared for the child, but I held to these words (Christian Science Hymnal, No.51): "Love's work and Love must fit." While the hymn itself was familiar to me, these words were not particularly so, and I pondered just what their meaning was and why they kept coming to me. They brought comfort and gave me something to which I could cling. When the doctor arrived early the next morning to examine the boy, he turned to me and asked me why I thought the child had scarlet fever. He could find no traces of it.

When he returned about three days later to release us officially from the quarantine, he again examined the boy. He was amazed to find evidence which he said was conclusive that the child had had scarlet fever. He removed the sign from the house but did request that I go on a voluntary quarantine for another week, saying he could not actually extend the period as the boy was as free as his sister. This was a great lesson for me on not getting discouraged and not outlining how Christian Science should work and when the results should be made evident. I was very happy to have the doctor tell me he was glad to put me on an "honorary" quarantine, that the health department had found that Christian Scientists could be trusted and that he himself had always found them obedient to the law.

When my husband passed on a few years ago, it was necessary for me to go into the business world although I had had no business training nor had ever wanted a career. I took an intensive one year course at a secretarial school. This course was so difficult that many college graduated dropped out, and I could not have graduated had I not had Christian Science. This training has enabled me to have a very successful and interesting career, and my supply has been greater than I could have anticipated. Some of my friends have been amazed that I could start at the top of the ladder at what mortal mind says was a rather late age to begin. When we turn to God in all our ways, He truly directs our paths wonderfully.

We have had many physical healings. I broke a bone in my ankle but did not lose a day from work. Because I was limping slightly and the accident had occurred at the office, my employer asked me to have an X-ray examination, which showed a break. The doctor wanted to put a cast on the ankle. I said I would contact him in a few days. I called my teacher for help. This was on a Tuesday, and on Friday, knowing the healing had taken place, I returned for another X ray, and they could find no break. The bone had been perfectly set. Christian Science treatment alone had been applied.

I am humbly grateful that Mrs. Eddy devoted so much time and effort to sharing with the world her discovery of divine Science, which makes practical the Bible assurance that God is "a very present help in trouble" (Ps.46:1). I never cease to marvel at the clear explanation she has given us of the Bible, one so simple that even a child can understand and use it.

(Mrs.) Helen Seeley McGaffey
Pacific Palisades, California