Several years ago I had a fine healing, which I wish to acknowledge at this time. I am now able to carry on and enjoy many activities again.

The illness was sudden. There were pains in my limbs and neck and head. It was difficult to get around and soon I was confined to a chair and bed. I was very grateful to my family, who are not Christian Scientists, for lovingly assisting me in every way. When the healing didn't come, however, the family became fearful. Finally my son begged me to see his doctor. After much prayer I submitted to this to quiet my son's fear. The doctor diagnosed my condition as a crippling form of rheumatoid arthritis for which there was no cure. He said he could give me something to alleviate the pain. I refused this and thanked him and my children, but I said I wanted to rely completely on Christian Science.

I knew God was my only physician, and I wanted no other. I couldn't handle my books at first, and I found the nights very long. I did feel God's presence, and I had all the tools—the Bible, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, and Christian Science class instruction. I began to ponder and to apply the spiritual facts I had learned, and they came to my thought in great abundance.

I knew I was God's beloved child, made in His image. This image I could claim as mine, spiritual, whole, God-governed, God-controlled, God-motivated, and God-activated. Nothing could separate me from divine Love. God couldn't experience this suggestion of pain and neither could His likeness. I'm grateful for the support of a Christian Science practitioner who treated me through prayer for a time, until my thought was uplifted and I knew I could prove God's healing power with me.

The twenty-third Psalm became more meaningful as I again began to walk. I felt grateful to God who leads so gently, yet firmly, in the way prepared for us to accept. Soon I was again using my hands, with some difficulty, but joyfully. I lived daily and hourly with the truths in the chapter on Christian Science Practice in Science and Health. These met my daily needs.

I learned to reverse every suggestion of age, immobility, depressed thought, exchanging them for thoughts of gratitude for all the good that was mine, for God's great love for me, and all mankind. Soon I found I was able to put self apart from thought and pray for loved ones, for our Sunday School, church, and all its activities—for our country. It was then real progress came forth. I became more loving and kind. I'm so grateful for a better understanding of God. I want to be a better Christian Scientist and a better church member.

One citation I particularly used and loved was from Science and Health (p. 417): "Maintain the facts of Christian Science,—that Spirit is God, and therefore cannot be sick; that what is termed matter cannot be sick; that all causation is Mind, acting through spiritual law. Then hold your ground with the unshaken understanding of Truth and Love, and you will win. When you silence the witness against your plea, you destroy the evidence, for the disease disappears."

It has been four years since the complete healing came, and I have enjoyed activity and freedom. I attended the Annual Meeting of The Mother Church last year. It was a wonderfully inspiring experience.

I am grateful for the healing power Christian Science brings when rightly applied.

(Mrs.) Emily M. Archer
Hermitage, Tennessee