The Touch of Class January 28, 2013 ISSUE

A life-launching experience

Eric Horner

When I was in my early adulthood, I was casually reading a pamphlet I had purchased from our local Christian Science Reading Room. In it was an article that seemed to speak directly to me. I took it as a personal call to arms, and it launched me into becoming a serious student of Christian Science. I read and reread the article dozens of times, though I never noticed the author’s name. It was clearly printed on the article, but it was as if it were hidden from my view. 

Within the next year or so, I began to think about my next step in Christian Science: Primary class instruction. I had moved to a new, large city and had met a young Christian Science practitioner who had helped me in prayer successfully several times. We became friends and
had many wonderful, invigorating conversations. My landlady at the time, also a Christian Scientist, told me that my new friend was a Christian Science teacher. It felt so natural to explore the idea of taking class instruction with him, and before long I applied and was accepted into his class the following summer.

The class was a life-changing experience. Truly, I felt as if I could go out and heal the world! After I returned home, the idea came to me to dig out that landmark article that had changed everything for me and reread it in light of what I had learned in the class. Imagine the moment when I opened that well-loved, tattered pamphlet to see the name of the author blazing off the page in front of me. Yes, it was written by my teacher! The moment is almost indescribable. I felt a humility I had never experienced before, and joy and gratitude so deep that tears welled up in my eyes. I was beginning to glimpse the unfailing hand of God gently leading me in my life, taking care of all the details—right down to finding my Christian Science teacher. 

That was over 30 years ago, and each year as I fly to my association meeting, I cherish with special tenderness my experience in finding my teacher.

About the author

Eric Horner lives in Winter Park, Florida, where he is an interior designer and branch church organist.

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