When I took up the study of Christian Science, I stood...

Ella K. Riggles

When I took up the study of Christian Science, I stood alone against what seemed an insurmountable wall of theological prejudice and opposition. I was asked not to teach our children Christian Science; and was not permitted to employ a practitioner for them in case of need. I must either do the work myself or call in the family physician. Having often seen inability inability of materia medica to meet the needs of humanity, and particularly in our own home, I was very loath to trust my children to its care.

Each day I gathered these little ones together and read to them without comment from the Bible and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. The unfoldment of the child-thought was beautiful to see, and many healings took place during those years. One in particular has been an inspiration to me ever since. Many times, when the way has seemed hard, I have gone back in thought to this healing and found strength to go on. I have also found that when I act as believing the truth which I declare, and rely on it, I never fail to get results. If the healing seems slow and the results are not forthcoming, it is invariably because I have leaned on my own understanding instead of trusting God.

During the summer months our eldest child, a boy of ten years, went alone to a neighboring city to spend the weekend with relatives. On Sunday evening I was led to go to the street-car station, five blocks away, to meet him. I found him lying on the seat of the car in an almost unconscious condition and unable to tell the car men his name or where he lived. There were no automobiles and no taxis in our suburb in those days, and it was with the greatest difficulty that we undertook the trip home. He was a large, overgrown boy, and helpless from pain and weakness. Each step of the way I declared the truth aloud and repeated over and over again "the scientific statement of being" (Science and Health, p. 468). On reaching home I put him to bed, thinking that he would be all right after having a bath and a good night's rest. But he had a bad night, and the morning found him in such a serious condition that we realized something must be done. I begged permission to call a practitioner, but was told that the child was far too ill to be intrusted to Christian Science. Much against my wishes a physician was called in. He pronounced the trouble acute appendicitis. Each day I sat by the bedside and read from the Bible and Science and Health. Each day I saw the child grow thinner and weaker, and his sufferings more severe. Aside from the suffering occasioned by the disease, he suffered intensely from hunger, and his cries for food were heart-rending. This state of affairs continued until Friday morning, when his condition was found to be critical.

When the doctor came he showed great alarm, and said that an immediate operation was necessary to save the child's life. After instructing me to make preparations for taking him to the hospital, the physician left to make the necessary arrangements, saying that he would return for him within an hour. It was here that my mother-love rebelled. I had faithfully carried out the doctor's orders and had been honest in respecting the wishes of my family. Now I felt that, if I could not ask aid of a practitioner, I reserved the right to use my own understanding of Christian Science to meet this need. Instead of carrying out the physician's instructions, I sat down beside the bed. "Sonny," I asked, "would mother make you suffer like this?" and he said, "Why, no, mother." Then I asked, "Why?" and he replied, "Because you love me." I said: "Well, dear, if I with my limited sense of mother-love would not afflict you, and if I would not withhold the remedy were it within my power to bestow, how much less would God, who is infinite Love, do such a thing!" His eyes opened very wide as he said: "Oh, mother, God did not do this. God couldn't do such a thing, for God is Love." My heart overflowed with joy and gratitude to think that those few moments spent daily in reading Science and Health to the children had taught this child that great fundamental truth that God is our loving Father-Mother. His healing was instantaneous. He rose, dressed himself unassisted, and came bounding down the stairs eager for the promised lunch—the first food which had passed his lips in five days. There was no convalescence, and even the evidence of the illness quickly disappeared.

Over seventeen years have passed since this healing, and our three children have grown up through the Christian Science Sunday School and church into intelligent and useful manhood and womanhood. The opposition and prejudice gradually gave way before the truth demonstrated through an unflinching faith in God; and it has long been my privilege to see our family united in Christian Science. I am indeed deeply grateful for the blessings which have come to me, to mine, and to mankind throughout the world through this great healing organization of Christian Science, of which it is my privilege to be a member.—(Mrs.) Ella K. Riggles, Washington, District of Columbia.

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