I have always found inspiration and enlightenment from reading...

I have always found inspiration and enlightenment from reading the testimonies in our periodicals. It is with great joy and gratitude that I relate the two following experiences.

It was my habit to clean my car every Friday evening, but on one occasion I was so ill that it seemed impossible for me to undertake the task. I felt weak and seemed rather stupid, staring in front of me as I sat in my chair. After a while, however, I found that I was saying to myself, "If someone phoned and asked for help in such circumstances, you would do something about it, so do something about it now, for yourself!" This roused me, and I reached for an unopened copy of The Christian Science Monitor and began to read the religious article, which is always to be found on The Home Forum page. As I read, one idea stood out. It was that when Job responded to the suggestions of error, he was deprived of his possessions, but when he reversed these suggestions, his possessions were restored to him.

This made such an impression upon me that it seemed to be especially directed to me. I saw, clearly, that I too had been responding to the suggestions of error in the form of sickness, and what I had to do was to reverse each argument mentally and spiritually as we are taught in Christian Science. This brought a realization of health and vigor, and within a very short time I was able to clean the car after all. The task on this occasion was very easy, and the car seemed like a toy. I was singing with joy and happiness. The suggestions, the symptoms of ill health, and the situation had indeed been reversed through understanding prayer.

On another occasion I was coshed from behind when putting away my car in a lockup garage in an unlighted back street late at night. My left arm was subjected to some form of judo, and my head was bruised. The arm quickly became useless and painful. It was evidently a violent attack with intent to rob, and the situation for me was very serious, as there was no one about to render assistance. I felt the only solution to be in my understanding of God, and I found myself saying, half aloud, "Father, help Your son." Immediately an abundance of strength came to me, and I was able to free myself from my assailant. Evidently completely taken by surprise, he sprang up and ran away into the darkness.

My left arm and hand continued to be useless and painful to the point of being almost unbearable all the next day until the evening, when I was speaking to a friend on the telephone about what had happened to me. At the conclusion of the conversation I said with conviction and assurance such as I had never felt before, "Well, this I do know, that in spite of the pain and the condition of the arm, matter has never for a single moment had any sensation, and I have no resentment about what has happened." As I said this, I returned the telephone to its rest with my left arm and hand, the arm and hand which up to the moment before had been so useless and painful. I was filled with awe. I realized that I was completely healed. It was truly a wonderful experience of the power of Truth over error.

Through many years Christian Science has been of the greatest help and value to me, bringing me health, happiness, and progress. I am profoundly grateful. My appreciation of Mrs. Eddy increases with the years. Her writings, especially the textbook, Science and Health, bring a greater and clearer understanding of the words and the works of Christ Jesus.

Edward Townley
London, England