The desire to know and understand God was my purpose in beginning the study of Christian Science. I hoped that through this study answers to my questions could be found. My formal education had emphasized the concept of minds many or mind over mind. The acceptance of the one Mind—God as All-in-all—was my first healing experience. Days spent in contemplation of the meaning of the little word all provided the groundwork for the next healing, that of coral poisoning, I had the steadfast help of a Christian Science practitioner in this instance. The infection caused by my being cut on live coral was completely healed. There were many concepts of false theology to be overcome in my thinking.

Prior to becoming a student of Christian Science, during pregnancy before our second child was born, a medical verdict was given, urging that I have immediate back surgery. When we asked about the child's safety in such an operation, the reply was that nothing could be done to save the child. Several specialists were consulted, but all gave the same prediction. Back surgery was declined, and we had our child. Years of pain and discomfort, sometimes to the point of being unable to stand erect were experienced.

Later, after I had become a member of The Mother Church and a branch church, my back was healed while a practitioner was doing prayerful work for me on another problem. Before writing to the practitioner, who lived thousands of miles away, I felt it was imperative to realize that there is no distance between Mind, God, and His idea. The healing Christ is in operation here and now.

The practitioner recommended that I study and obey the rules given on page 495 of Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy: "When the illusion of sickness or sin tempts you, cling steadfastly to God and His idea. Allow nothing but His likeness to abide in your thought. Let neither fear nor doubt overshadow your clear sense and calm trust, that the recognition of life harmonious—as Life eternally is—can destroy any painful sense of, or belief in, that which Life is not. Let Christian Science, instead of corporeal sense, support your understanding of being, and this understanding will supplant error with Truth, replace mortality with immortality, and silence discord with harmony."

In that week's Lesson-Sermon in the Christian Science Quarterly a citation from Hebrews stood out as a special message (4:12): "The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Prayerful consideration of this led me to meditate further on the passage from Ephesians (6:17): "Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Sometime later we discovered that there were no protruding bones. I was completely unaware when mental surgery took place.

I am grateful that our two sons realize the love God has for them. Through their Sunday School teaching and daily reading of the Lesson-Sermon they are growing to understand their true relationship with God. Through their own work they have experienced physical healings for themselves and others.

I am truly grateful for the provision of class instruction by Mrs. Eddy. My prayer is to reflect each day some of the joy and conviction of the truth that Christian Science has brought into my life.

(Mrs.) Marian C. Rankin, Midland, Texas

I was with my wife when the healings she relates in her testimony took place. The healings did occur as she has stated, and they have been permanent. The healing of coral poisoning was important in that those about us thought the trouble would recur from time to time. It never did return, however. It is a pleasure to verify this testimony.

Mann Rankin