In the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health by...

RUTH ROSSNER

In the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, we read in the chapter "Prayer" (p. 16): "The highest prayer is not one of faith merely; it is demonstration."

One lovely summer day I rode my bicycle to the house of some relatives, where I was to stay for a few days. I was wearing nylon stockings, and the edge of one shoe rubbed against my skin, causing a small wound below the ankle. Two days later the entire foot was inflamed and looked quite alarming. It was so painful that I could barely stand or walk. My cousin was very concerned about me, and she brought me water and cloths for compresses, which I declined with thanks. I was sure I could trust God for healing of this condition. I knew that inflammation has no reality or power, since man, as God's image and likeness, can express only perfection. Man's life is spiritual, not material; therefore I felt confident I could rely on spiritual means alone for healing.

That evening my sister called, asking me to come home. Instead of telling her about my foot and putting the possibility of my coming home in question, I replied, "Yes, I will be coming tomorrow." The following day I was free—the pain and swelling had disappeared, and I was able to put weight on my foot again. The healing was complete and no scar remained. I bicycled home as I had promised.

Another time I had symptoms of what acquaintances told me was facial erysipelas. In this case, as before, I knew that God had created good alone, and so its opposite—called evil, error, or disease—could not have any reality.

It was winter and very cold. Despite this, I set out early one day for the main town in our district, where I had some important business to attend to. Because of the praying I had been doing, I felt safe in God's presence, in His love. Around noontime I realized that I was healed. There has never been a return of this trouble.

Hymn No. 284 in the Christian Science Hymnal begins with the words "Prayer is the heart's sincere desire,/ Uttered or unexpressed." I have been able to experience the truth of this statement in taking trips abroad. I had never expressed to anyone my desire to travel, mostly because I had always felt that I could not afford such a trip. What a wrong thought! One day I realized that under God's care we can never be denied anything good.

Since then I have taken several trips. I have always been beautifully guided, had everything I needed, and felt privileged to see more of the beauty of God's glorious nature.

I am deeply grateful for membership in The Mother Church and in a Christian Science Society, as well as for Christian Science class instruction.

RUTH ROSSNER
Röslau, Federal Republic of Germany

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