As a result of continued study and practice of Christian Science, I am grateful to supplement three previous testimonies of mine published in The Christian Science Journal and the Sentinel. The importance of listening to divine Mind instead of human advice for guidance was illustrated to me in the following experience.

Years ago, as part of my job, I was assigned the work of preparing a statement on behalf of a national trade association. It was to be done in support of an important industry project for presentation to a committee of the United States Congress at a public hearing, which was to be held on a specified date. After I had started work on this statement, I was advised by our legislative counsel to suspend this work until further notice because the hearing had been postponed indefinitely.

For some reason I was intuitively reluctant to accept this advice and decided to pray about the situation. In doing so, I looked to God as my employer and knew that my work was under the direction of divine Mind, not human views, opinions, or beliefs. After praying along this line for a few days, I felt led to resume preparation of the statement.

I completed the work, though it took considerable time, shortly before our association was notified by the Congressional committee that the hearing had been rescheduled and that we would be expected to present our statement within a very few days. Since my work had already been completed, our presentation within the short time limit set by the committee was accomplished with ease. In fact, had I delayed resuming my work, it would have been extremely difficult to complete the statement on time. This experience proved to me that when we follow divine Mind's guidance, we do the right thing at the right time.

A few years ago I noticed symptoms of arthritis in my hands. Initially I did not pay much attention. But then the symptoms became worse and there was considerable pain. When working with my hands and even shaking hands with others became difficult, I realized my need to turn fully to the teachings of Christian Science.

For some time after this, following my daily study of the week's Bible Lesson outlined in the Christian Science Quarterly, I vigorously denied the condition (these symptoms) as valid, knowing that disease is not created by God, Truth, good, and that God is the only creator. I knew that the flesh, matter, has no life or intelligence and therefore cannot make conditions for man; that my entire being was forever under the control of divine Mind, God.

One day I suddenly realized that I was entirely free. There has been no return of this complaint.

I am so grateful for the privilege of serving the Cause of Christian Science, especially through work in a branch church. My gratitude for the Master, Christ Jesus, and for the great work accomplished by his follower, Mary Baker Eddy, for the salvation of mankind, is unending.

O. Lincoln Cone
Arlington, Virginia