The truth and lessons I have learned from my study of Christian Science and my love for it will ever be my guiding star of healing. It has given me a higher understanding of the Christ. I know it is through our obedience to the rules of Christian Science that we get our healing. Mrs. Eddy tells us in Science and Health (p. 183), "Obedience to Truth gives man power and strength." I had the opportunity to prove this.

Several years ago as I was walking to the sink after clearing the table of the breakfast dishes, I slipped and fell very hard. I saw that some water had been spilled on the floor. The first thought that came to me was "the scientific statement of being," which begins (Science and Health, p. 468), "There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter." I lay there pondering the whole of the statement.

I got up in a few minutes and found that my foot was quite painful. It seemed to be out of joint. Later in the day I called a Christian Science practitioner and asked her to pray for me. I took Science and Health and began to study and to ponder what I was reading. I knew my answer was in communion with God. I also was convinced that Christian Science heals and that my desire was to be obedient to it. I knew that my faith was an active reliance on God for healing. This was on a Thursday. Sunday I was scheduled to usher in church. I did not feel able to usher, but I attended the church service.

The next week I continued to walk to work, and God sustained me. The following Sunday it was my desire to usher, so I turned to God and asked God what I needed to know. These words came to me from Miscellaneous Writings by Mrs. Eddy (p. 116): "Never absent from your post, never off guard, never ill-humored, never unready to work for God,—is obedience; being 'faithful over a few things.'" That was my answer to prayer. I knew that right then was the time to put this truth into practice, to be obedient. I went to church early to an ushers' meeting and was assigned to my post. I could hardly stand, but my desire was to be obedient and to be faithful over a few things. It gave me courage and strength.

That same afternoon I attended a Monitor circulation meeting. In the evening I went back to church and served as usher at the evening service. After the second hymn had been sung and I had sat down to listen to the reading, I felt and heard the bone in my foot go back into place. I knew I was healed. It proved true when I walked home from church that evening.

I know that being faithful to the teachings of Christian Science does give us power and strength. I have ever been grateful for this experience because it has taught me to listen to God and to be more obedient to the teachings of Christian Science and to discipline my thinking.

I am grateful for class instruction, which has given me a firm understanding of God and my oneness with Him. I shall ever be grateful to Mrs. Eddy for giving us this wonderful religion, which has strengthened my faith and courage and given me understanding so that I can help others turn to God in times of need. I know that being faithful over a few things will ever be a blessing and an inspiration to others.

(Mrs.)Mabel Irene Johnson
Brentwood, Missouri

My first testimony appeared in the Christian Science Sentinel of September 14, 1935, and my second in the February, 1953, issue of The Christian Science Journal. Since then I have had further proofs of the efficacy of Christian Science in daily life. I have seen so-called incurable diseases healed through the application of this Science.

When my son was about fourteen years old, he sustained an injury while playing lacrosse. He was taken to a hospital with internal bleeding, but no medication was given. After I was notified, treatment was given in Christian Science, although the medical verdict was that he could never again engage in active sports. This was proved untrue, and he subsequently engaged in football, wrestling, and other sports.

Again, when this son wanted to become a flyer, after having passed all the scholastic tests, he was rejected because of certain trouble that might develop with his eyes. He was turned down several times by the Navy examining boards. This trouble was corrected when sincere, prayerful work was taken up in Christian Science, and he has now been flying for many years and is a Colonel in the Marines.

My own healings have been many. Several years ago it seemed impossible to use my legs without severe pain. I knew that this was a lie, that nothing besides Love, God, could be present or have activity or power. I declared over and over again the truth that as God's reflection I was entirely free. This condition, too, was healed.

More recently I was in a department store and felt I was losing consciousness. The store nurse was called, and I asked her to telephone a Christian Science practitioner, who might come and drive me home. A practitioner was reached and agreed to come at once.

It so happened that that week's Bible Lesson contained the account of the disciple Peter's denial of the Christ. One question to my Sunday School class was going to be, "How often do we deny the Christ by hesitating to say we are Christian Scientists?" So I knew that I, too, must audibly take my stand. The nurse had been insisting that a doctor be called, but I said to her, "I am a Christian Scientist, and the person you just called is a Christian Science practitioner. She is helping me, and all will be well." The nurse quietly accepted this.

On leaving me in my home the practitioner assured me of the presence of the healing Christ, and this truth sustained me although f was left alone in the house. By the next day this trouble had entirely disappeared, and I was like one who has awakened from a nightmare.

Lest anyone think that this testimony stresses physical healing only, let me say that many false traits have been overcome and much character building has taken place. All my life I have been forced to rely on divine Principle for help, and the obstacles overcome are legion. When the longing has been great to have someone to lean upon, I have resorted to reading again the biographies of Mrs. Eddy and her biographical sketch in her own book Retrospection and Introspection, and I have been strengthened in the knowledge that she leaned upon divine Principle. To quote from her book, Science and Health (p. 48), "Remembering the sweat of agony which fell in holy benediction on the grass of Gethsemane, shall the humblest or mightiest disciple murmur when he drinks from the same cup, and think, or even wish, to escape the exalting ordeal of sin's revenge on its destroyer?"

May I also express gratitude for the friendship, guidance, and love of my faithful teacher in Christian Science for over a period of thirty-seven years and for her example in following Mrs. Eddy, who faithfully followed Christ Jesus.

(Mrs.)Jewel Brandmark
Westwood, New Jersey