Over twenty years ago, before I knew anything of Christian Science...

Agnes P. Fraser with contributions from Lilli Wolfram, Eugene F. Corbin

Over twenty years ago, before I knew anything of Christian Science, I was in dire straits, as I had just failed a medical examination, which meant that I could not be appointed to the permanent staff of the Education Authority, whose service I had only recently joined. No reason had been given for this decision, and my family doctor told me there was nothing anyone could do to rescind the verdict of the doctor who had made the examination.

My post was that of a visiting teacher of art, and as I went from school to school, I received much sympathy from all the teachers— all, that is, except one who sat and listened to my tale of woe but made no comment. The next time I visited the school, however, this woman quietly presented me with an invitation to a Christian Science lecture. I went to the lecture, and I can only say that what I heard absolutely staggered me in that I heard questions answered I never expected to hear answered. As I went home that evening, I kept repeating to myself, "I am not a miserable sinner after all!"

Later I received a communication from the Education Authority stating that I was free to return for a second medical examination in a year's time. During that year I met my friend almost every week, when she reiterated the verse from the Bible (Matt. 5:48), "Be ye... perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." Also a passage in Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, which helped me greatly, can be found on page 475, where the question is asked, "What is man?" On line 11 we read, "Man is spiritual and perfect."