Several years ago I developed a fear of subway steps

Josephine Engel

Several years ago I developed a fear of subway steps. The fear and tension mounted. At the same time a painful skin condition erupted that confined me to bed for a week. I spent that week purifying my thought by reading Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, as well as the Christian Science periodicals. I received prayerful help from a Christian Science practitioner, with whom I made an appointment for the end of the week.

As I left my apartment to keep the appointment, I felt the still small voice warning me against wastefulness. Taking a taxi seemed wasteful to me under the circumstances, and I walked to the nearest subway entrance. The fear had dropped away and I walked freely down the steps, rejoicing and thanking God for the healing. I realized that without wavering I had been obedient to God's guidance. The painful skin condition left me within a few days.

Another healing took place a couple of years ago. One evening I attended a concert with a few friends, and when it was over, we headed backstage to thank the artists for their beautiful performance. I was the last of our group to walk up the stairs leading to the stage. Apparently, I walked too close to the edge of the stage, and I fell more than six feet to the floor of the hall. I landed in a twisted position, hitting the top of my head, which swelled up in seconds. I was frightened and in pain, and I heard someone say, "Call an ambulance quickly, this is serious."

I said to myself, "This cannot be true; it is a dream." One of my friends, who is a Christian Science practitioner, knelt down and lovingly kept whispering strong statements of truth in my ear, refuting all the negative arguments. The first statement I recall her saying was from Science and Health (p. 424): "Under divine Providence there can be no accidents, since there is no room for imperfection in perfection." My friend handled the situation most lovingly, allaying the fears of the crowd surrounding me. I silently repeated "the scientific statement of being" (see ibid., p. 468) while my friend prayed.

When the ambulance arrived, I said I would try to get up, and with some help I walked to a nearby chair, amazing everyone. The ambulance left without me. I sat for a while affirming the truth, and then I was helped to a car. My friends and I drove to a reception for the artists, as previously planned. By the following morning the lump on my head had virtually disappeared; I was free of pain and was able to go to my office in the afternoon. Toward the end of the week all discomfort was gone and the healing was complete.

I want to express my gratitude for this quick healing, part of which was the healing of self-pity, which seemed to overwhelm me at the time.

I wish to express deep gratitude to God for the gift of Christian Science to mankind and my appreciation for Mrs. Eddy's love and wisdom and willingness to follow divine guidance. I am grateful for class instruction and the yearly association meeting.

(Miss) Josephine Engel
New York, New York

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