Financial problems first faced me when I tried to enter college in...

John E. Marvin

Financial problems first faced me when I tried to enter college in September, 1966. Registration would be allowed only if I could contact the right person at the right time to obtain a tuition waiver. During registration day contact with the registrar seemed impossible. I had asked for prayerful support from a Christian Science practitioner earlier in the day.

When all attempts to make contact seemed futile, I headed toward the parking lot to return home in despair. Before I reached my car, a still small voice told me to turn back. I obeyed and reentered the registration room and reached the ever busy registrar at an exact and appropriate moment. An ex-serviceman, like myself, was asking for a tuition waiver under the same circumstances as my own. Our two waivers were granted on the spot.

When I told the registrar I would pay on a certain date, I knew not where I would get the money. A local bank was hesitant about granting me a loan, but with further metaphysical help from the same practitioner my doubts were removed and the loan was granted just in time.

My next obstacle was academic. In one course my grades seemed to be barely passing or even failing. A turning point was reached during the final exam. Demonstrations of God's provision I had had in the military service came to my thought. The memory of these proofs made me turn to God unreservedly. Gratitude for what God had done forced me to acknowledge the Father as the one Mind and to follow His divine guidance. The instructor was bewildered over my A minus on the examination and gave me a satisfactory grade in the course.

To continue my education, it was necessary for me to transfer from a junior college to a four-year college. Before I could do so, it was necessary that I be counseled by the Veterans' Administration in order to receive government financial aid. At first the Veterans' Administration was hesitant to allow me financial help. Their judgment was based on poor grades I had received before entering the military service. When I showed the counselor my grades from the recent junior college work, he heartily approved financial aid.

When I expressed fear of not being academically acceptable at a local four-year college, the practitioner brought out that the only true record for God's man is a perfect one. I was accepted in good standing.

The latest demonstration also involved academic studies. A certain course demanded a working insight or practical understanding, neither of which I seemed to receive from the instructor or the textbook in the course. Failure seemed imminent. I asked for help in Christian Science. During the final examination I humbly leaned on God. My course grade was satisfactory. An average grade seemed likely in a second course, but my grade was above average. My grade in a third course was an A.

Divine Love has become nearer and dearer through the study and application of Christian Science. The unselfish love of practitioners and fellow Scientists is ever inspiring to me.

John E. Marvin, Spokane, Washington

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