Testimony of Healing December 29, 1980 Issue

During one winter our car was not working properly

JAMES H. HEGARTY, JR. with contributions from MARGARET HEGARTY

During one winter our car was not working properly. At that time we did not have a garage, and starting it on cold mornings was a problem. I had read that a warm battery is more effective than a cold one; so on an especially cold night I decided to remove the battery from the car and bring it into the warm basement.

The next morning I got up extra early and went outside to install the battery. It was still dark, and as I made the electrical connections, my wrench accidentally touched the metal part of the car. There was a spark that apparently caused the hydrogen gas in the battery to explode. It blew up in my face, forcing battery acid into my mouth, nose, and ears. I was sprayed with acid from head to toe, except for my eyes (I was wearing glasses).

For a moment I stood there, collecting my thoughts. Immediately I recalled the Bible verse "God is love" (I John 4:8), and I acknowledged the ever-presence of divine Love, tenderly sustaining man. I also remembered Mrs. Eddy's statement in Miscellaneous Writings that "Love is the master of hate . . ."(p. 336). This statement had helped me solve a problem of personal animosity in a business situation. Now, I reasoned, if Love could neutralize hate, and I knew it could, the power of Love could certainly stop any acidic action that the battery liquid might have on me. I knew that my true being as Spirit's immortal expression was exempt from the penalties imposed by mortal belief.