The village in which I grew up was a typical northern English village. One day as I was helping Mother to wash the dishes, we looked through the kitchen window and noticed a neighbor drunkenly weaving his way home. His wife had recently passed on, and he seemed lost.

Some weeks later we saw him again, and my mother told me he had a new housekeeper, one of the Christian Scientists we'd been hearing a lot about. Several weeks later I met this neighbor face to face; I stood in amazement, for his face seemed to shine and he spoke happily to me. I did not know what the words profound impression meant then, but I saw the difference!

Many years later, during the Second World War, I was a prisoner of war. I prayed to God. I was able to escape from a barbed-wire camp in Italy and cross into Switzerland. There I was "adopted" by a farming family, and I helped them with the work. The mother said one day, "We have only one book in English, but you may read it if you would like to." It was Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy in German and English. The book was a great comfort to me, although I did not understand its deep spiritual meaning at that time.

Two or three years after the war I suffered a nervous breakdown; medical treatment was of little aid. I sat in our front room feeling depressed and waiting for the pubs to open. Glancing up at my mother's bookcase one day, I saw the word health on one book. "Health, that's what I need," I thought. Again, it was Science and Health. I had never noticed the book there before.

I started to read, and the chapter "Prayer" became clearer to me. A wonderful conviction came to me that God is Love and that He loves man! I remember the prayer that came to me then: "Dear heavenly Father, I have been trying to run my own life and making a hash of it. Now I will try to surrender to Your divine Mind." Well, it was a start! I found a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, where I met a Christian Science practitioner and asked her about the teachings of Mrs. Eddy. Soon complete healing of the nervous breakdown resulted.

I have had other healings as my understanding of divine Truth has developed. For example, I was performing a repair at home, standing on a rickety chair, when I fell heavily on one shoulder. The pain in my shoulder was severe, and the collarbone seemed to be broken. I told myself not to panic. I sat quietly on the floor and prayed. After a few moments I felt and heard a click in my shoulder. I was able to rise and sit in my armchair, where I continued to read from one of our Christian Science periodicals. Soon I was able to go to bed, feeling overwhelmingly grateful.

Then the thought came, "Now, Steve, you will feel some discomfort for a few days." But I quickly remembered this statement from Science and Health: "If Spirit or the power of divine Love bear witness to the truth, this is the ultimatum, the scientific way, and the healing is instantaneous." The following morning I was back on duty as caretaker in my branch church, polishing pews to the glory of God, with both arms!

I am endeavouring to prove the spiritual truths of Christian Science in my life. Childlike trust, obedience, and love are my watchwords, and I never forget my deep gratitude for our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy.

Stephen Pearce
Derby, Derbyshire, England