Testimony of Healing July 24, 1976 Issue

"'Man's extremity is God's opportunity'" (Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, p. 266)

Edward T. Walsh with contributions from Johanna Mary Walsh

"'Man's extremity is God's opportunity'" (Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, p. 266). The truth of this statement was shown in my experience. I was led as a lamb back to the flock, back to our Father—confirming in my life Christ Jesus' words (Luke 12:32), "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

Some years ago I was sentenced to one year at a county road camp. Before being sent to road camp, I was placed in a county institution where men's injustice to men is very evident. It was there where my extremity of fear, loneliness, hatred, and fright was God's opportunity to open the prison gates and set me free.

I had been exposed to Christian Science through my wife, but all that I could remember were the words on the wall of a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, "Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need" (Science and Health, p. 494). For two days I clung to that statement, trying net to lose sight of the fact that God was all around me. That evening, coming back to my cell after dinner, I saw a copy of The Christian Science Journal on the floor of one of the cells. I immediately picked it up, and for the next few days almost committed the whole Journal to memory. It was my comfort and peace until released to a road camp, where I was allowed to have a Bible and Science and Health. During this time I started the daily study of the Lesson-Sermons in the Christian Science Quarterly, plus reading Science and Health at every opportunity.