Written acknowledgment of the healing power of Christian Science in my life is long overdue. In 1963 my father and I were vacationing in Hawaii when I experienced a severe fall that literally flattened my nose against my cheek. At the time I remember thinking that mortal mind would argue that the injury was serious, but I immediately rejected such a belief.

Right at that moment there were workmen about to return to the cottage where we were staying, so I went into a bedroom and began vehemently to affirm the truth of God's, Spirit's, perfection and of my indissoluble unity with that perfection as God's child. I think I understood then more clearly than I ever had before what Mary Baker Eddy means when she admonishes us in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (p. 392): "Stand porter at the door of thought. Admitting only such conclusions as you wish realized in bodily results, you will control yourself harmoniously." When the workmen left, I telephoned a Christian Science practitioner for his support through prayer.

My father, having heard the fall, accepted my assurances (through the bedroom door) that I was all right. He became alarmed, however, when he found my broken eyeglasses on the floor and insisted that I allow him to help me.

Together we reasoned that since I was Life's expression, no evil had touched me or could touch me, and so nothing could interfere with any worthwhile activity we had planned. Mrs. Eddy says on page 228 of the textbook, Science and Health, "The transmission of disease or of certain idiosyncrasies of mortal mind would be impossible if this great fact of being were learned,—namely, that nothing inharmonious can enter being, for Life is God."

The temptation to be fearful was often aggressive. I carried a copy of Science and Health with me everywhere we went, and when the suggestion that there might be permanent damage would try to come in like a flood, I would open the textbook right then and read (aloud or silently, depending on where we were) whatever I found in its pages. Doing this continually anchored my thought to the truth: the perfection of God and of man in His likeness; and I could see more clearly the nothingness of evil. Inevitably, I would feel peaceful and uplifted and confident again.

The accident happened on Tuesday. By Friday I felt free enough to continue without the practitioner's help. On Wednesday, at a testimony meeting on another island, after dynamic readings on the healing power of Christian Science, I felt impelled to stand and testify that there was literally no vestige of the injury left.

My nose, after many adjustments during the week, had rearranged itself into its proper shape; my breathing had cleared; the paralysis on one side of my face had disappeared; and the discoloration had simply faded away.

I realize now that the faith and clear spiritual understanding I was able to bring to this challenge were the fruits of many lesser victories I had won through the thirty-odd years I'd been a Scientist. Since this healing, a better grasp of the truth of this Science has continued to establish in my life higher concepts and clearer evidence of true place, adequate supply, genuine companionship, and the inspiration and intelligence necessary to pursue a new career.

My gratitude is great for the part a loving family and activity in a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, have contributed to my growth. Indeed, I am thankful for all the ways The Mother Church provides for the spiritual growth of its members, not the least of which is class instruction from a devoted teacher. The study of Christian Science surely makes every day a divine adventure!

DOROTHY STEFANY VILLOCH
Malden, Massachusetts