Of the many proofs I have had of God's tender care for His children and the healing power of Love, two stand out especially, and I want to share them.

Several years ago we visited my parents in another state, and during the time we were there I had a major difference with a member of my family. I had not come to terms with this erroneous attitude before we left. Soon, when an ugly and painful wart appeared on the end of my right forefinger, I felt more concern to eliminate from my thought the animosity that was directed toward my relative than to be rid of the painful condition of my hand.

This occurred during the few months prior to the birth of our son. When he was born, I received a very warm and cordial letter from the one with whom I'd had the difference. At once a wave of love for her washed over me and I knew I was healed. The growth on my finger rapidly disintegrated, and in a day or so all evidence had completely disappeared.

Mrs. Eddy's sentence in the Preface of Science and Health summarizes the experience thus (p. xi): "The physical healing of Christian Science results now, as in Jesus' time, from the operation of divine Principle, before which sin and disease lose their reality in human consciousness and disappear as naturally and as necessarily as darkness gives place to light and sin to reformation."

The potency of scientific Christianity was again manifested in a more recent experience. In 1975, the centennial of the publishing of Science and Health, I joined many other Christian Scientists in reading the book through consecutively.

In the latter part of the year, a member of our family became ill and opted to stay in our home to recuperate. Thus I found myself cast in the role of a Christian Science nurse. I had just finished reading these instructions in Science and Health (p. 395), "The nurse should be cheerful, orderly, punctual, patient, full of faith,— receptive to Truth and Love." This was truly gratifying proof of the Bible promise (Isa. 65:24), "And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear."

This relative received prayerful treatment from a Christian Science practitioner, and there was never an atmosphere of heaviness or hopelessness during the time she was with us. She had a significant Christian Science healing, for which we are all grateful.

Two blessings came to me during this experience: I had had a very painful back condition during the several months preceding. I became suddenly aware that the pain had vanished. Additionally, I grew to have a respect and appreciation for other members of the family which I had not had before. Again, dis-ease had disappeared "as naturally and as necessarily as darkness gives place to light." My immediate family were cooperative and helpful. It was a joyous experience, and we are so grateful for it.

My gratitude to God is greater than I can tell, for His gift to Mrs. Eddy of Christian Science. Through study of Science and Health one gains a practical understanding of Christ Jesus' life and works.

(Mrs.) Ramona L. Fowler
Dallas, Texas

I am the relative mentioned above who was ill and spent four weeks in the home of my son and his family. One evening I suddenly became very weak and nauseated. I called my son, and he in turn called a practitioner. Then my son took me to their home. We kept in close touch with the practitioner, and we are so grateful for his supporting prayer. Progress was rapid and apparent to all, until I was fully recovered. A sense of harmony was present the whole time. We all had complete trust in God's willingness and ability to heal.

(Mrs.) Lila O. Fowler

Two years ago in the middle of October, unlike most seniors in my high school in Pittsburgh, I traveled to New Hampshire for two weeks to attend a ski racing academy, where I participated in a dryland training program. I had decided that it would be an excellent chance for me to live Christian Science and use it zealously, basing my actions on divine Principle. From the outset, backed by prayer acknowledging God's care, the trip proved to be a safe one, free of hassles.

The only insecurity I felt was a lack of confidence in my physical condition; for two months a painful difficulty in my left side had chronically troubled me, restricting my daily activity, which included physical exertion. I thought it might be a problem to me at the school as it had been in the past. This ski training would be a wonderful opportunity, and there was no reason for an untrue suggestion to deprive me of my happiness and productiveness at any time, any place.

On the first day of training I found myself subject to this condition. It inhibited my ability to perform in the activities, which included calisthenic exercises, wind sprints up a ski slope, and a sevenmile run. I realized that I must prove my at-one-ment with God as His idea, and that "it is man's moral right to annul an unjust sentence, a sentence never inflicted by divine authority" (Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, p. 381). I made it through the day's workout without revealing to anyone why I was limping and having difficulty. I realized the falsity of the argument that matter was in a position to govern my existence and claimed instead my God-given dominion over my own body.

I couldn't wait to get to my room to read the Lesson-Sermon in the Christian Science Quarterly, which happened to be a particularly helpful one to me that week. The time for action was now. Whenever the erroneous suggestion of pain or discomfort tempted me to believe in it as reality, I would dispel it.

The following day the pain became less evident. Since it was a rest day, I could devote more time to studying and have no concern for my body whatsoever. On the succeeding day all signs of the physical difficulty had vanished completely, and I was able to continue training, free.

It was with this marvelous healing, for which I am so very grateful, that I embarked upon one of the most uplifting, enjoyable, and rewarding experiences of my life. In those two weeks I had a wonderful time, simply by doing as Mrs. Eddy says (Science and Health, p. 407): "Let the perfect model be present in your thoughts instead of its demoralized opposite. This spiritualization of thought lets in the light, and brings the divine Mind, Life not death, into your consciousness."

(Miss) Elizabeth V. Purdy
Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania

I am happy to verify Elizabeth's testimony. She has demonstrated the healing power of Christian Science on several occasions recently, and it is comforting to me as her mother to see her utilize truth in this way, for I know it will always bless her.

I would also like to add my own testimony of a case of mental surgery brought about solely through Christian Science treatment. After burdening myself with too many social activities a few years ago, I was suddenly stricken with intestinal stoppage. Extreme pain and inability to retain any food or move my bowels for a week curtailed all my activities. Finally I realized I must give up the social pastimes completely and devote myself wholeheartedly to a deeper study of Christian Science and a more spiritual utilization of time and energy. With the help of a Christian Science practitioner, and with sincere effort on my part to understand my true being as a child of God, hence perfect, the physical obstruction broke and was eliminated naturally and painlessly. I was completely healed. This was just one more demonstration in my life proving that Christian Science heals any discordant condition if we will just put its laws into practice.

I love Mrs. Eddy for the standard she set for students of Christian Science. She said, "The song of Christian Science is, 'Work—work —work— watch and pray'" (Message to The Mother Church for 1900, p. 2). She never stopped working, and if we also would be obedient to this admonition, our spiritual growth would be rapid indeed.

(Mrs.) Betty V. Purdy