Christian Science has been with me all my life. My grandmother has a testimony written to Mrs. Eddy and published in Miscellaneous Writings by Mrs. Eddy (C. A. W., Lexington, Mo., pp. 416-417). Even though Christian Science has been with me always, I did stray away several times; but each time I came back with a stronger desire to demonstrate the teaching.

My life has been relatively free of physical ills, thanks to Christian Science and my mother's help in applying it. The healings I am about to relate stand out to me. One that was significant was a healing of convulsions in my infant grandson. One Sunday afternoon while my daughter was visiting she called to me. The baby appeared to be ill with another attack. My daughter was fearful. I wrapped the child in a blanket, assuring her he was in God's care, and went out into the backyard with the baby in my arms. It was quiet, and I felt at peace. I started to sing the words of Mrs. Eddy's hymn (Christian Science Hymnal, No. 207):

Within a few minutes I felt the little jerking body relax, and the infant went to sleep. That was the end of the problem. It never recurred.

The most recent healing I would like to tell about was not so quick. In fact it took nearly three years for the complete healing. This was a time of testing and wonderful growth in understanding for me. About five years ago I started a new job. This was a demonstration in itself as I had been unemployed for about seven months. A few months after starting to work, an eruption appeared on my face near the upper lip. I didn't pay too much attention to it. As time went on I noticed it didn't heal. My co-workers began to comment, so I covered the place with a bandage. I worked with this truth from Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy (p. 393): "Be firm in your understanding that the divine Mind governs, and that in Science man reflects God's government. Have no fear that matter can ache, swell, and be inflamed as the result of a law of any kind, when it is self-evident that matter can have no pain nor inflammation."

The lunch hour became a very special time for me. I decided to spend this time in reading Science and Health straight through. I had wanted to do this for some time. The book was illuminated. At times, when returning to the office, I walked on air. But the outward evidence did not yield. Rather it appeared worse. However, I continued to read Science and Health through again and again. I had several inspiring visits with my Christian Science teacher in addition to his supporting prayerful help. The symptoms still didn't yield.

Then I decided to forget the physical and study to learn more of God for the sheer joy of learning, because my study had been and was joyous and fulfilling. I was being regenerated. I had to rid myself of all the selfs—self-righteousness, self-will, self-love, selfishness. I had to fill my thoughts with God's will, God's love, and to express humility. I had to be humble and love my fellowmen. Two passages from the Bible were a great help. The first was from Job (11: 14-17), a portion of which reads: "If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles. For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot." Also (Eph. 6:11, 13), "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil . . . and having done all, to stand." And stand I did! About this time my granddaughter, a teen-ager, and her girl friend came to spend the summer with me. The first night they arrived, upon retiring, I quietly prayed, "Father, I have done all I know how to do. Now it is up to You." This was the turning point. Sometime after this I awakened one morning with the conviction I was healed. This proved to be true, and before long all the evidence of disease on my face was gone.

I am indeed deeply grateful for the joy and benefit of class instruction, for the love Mrs. Eddy had for mankind to give the wonderful gift of Christian Science. I am also grateful to be able to work in any capacity I am appointed to in the local branch Church of Christ, Scientist.

(Mrs.) Marian H. Bell
Clermont, Florida