One afternoon when our son was a toddler, I noticed some...

Janet Ivcich Hegarty

One afternoon when our son was a toddler, I noticed some red blotches on his skin. In a short time they spread quickly over his entire body. I called a Christian Science practitioner and asked him to pray for the child. The practitioner clearly stated the unreality of contagion in God's kingdom and assured me he would be praying with us.

In the evening after the children were in bed, my husband and I prayed quietly together. Trying to clear my own thought of the alarming picture of disease, I was led to read Mrs. Eddy's article entitled "Contagion" from Miscellaneous Writings. The first sentence states, "Whatever man sees, feels, or in any way takes cognizance of, must be caught through mind; inasmuch as perception, sensation, and consciousness belong to mind and not to matter" (p. 228). As I considered this sentence and what follows, it became clear to me that there could be no diseased action taking place in God's creation. What I was seeing was a false suggestion that God's child could be separated from the ever-present goodness of God. Because I knew this was impossible, I felt at peace.

Child's rash quickly healed.

In the morning I was very glad to see that much of the child's body was completely normal. Rejoicing in what I had learned about the nothingness of contagion, I watched the remaining evidence vanish before my eyes while I helped the child dress for the day. With much joy I called the practitioner to tell him how quick and complete the healing was.

I am very thankful to have Christian Science to rely on for the care of our two young children. It gives me much confidence knowing, and having seen proof many times, that God, who is our help, is always right at hand.

Janet Ivcich Hegarty
Elgin, Illinois

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