Before I took up Christian Science, I could not understand...

Lillian Wilkinson

Before I took up Christian Science, I could not understand why my loved ones seemed obliged to endure so much suffering, but I clung to the thought that somewhere, some way, and sometime, everything would be all right with God. Religion had brought me no comfort, although I longed to feel that I had a church home somewhere. Christian Science was not investigated, as I believed it was only for people who had good health—and my family were sick so often. One night I prayed most earnestly to God to lead me to the right religion and I would follow, no matter what the consequences.

Soon after that, my family were victims of an epidemic of influenza. Our little four-year-old daughter, who was very delicate as the result of a spinal injury, contracted the disease and pneumonia developed, with a spinal complication. When there seemed little hope for her recovery, the physician, who was doing his utmost to save the child, said it would be necessary to aspirate the right pleural cavity. I begged him to let her go without adding to her sufferings, and it was decided to wait until morning. My responsibility seemed very great, as my husband also was ill. But the "still small voice" surely whispered to me that night, for I asked our son to telephone to my sister, a Christian Scientist, in another city, for her very best help. She called on a practitioner, who took up the work about nine o'clock. At midnight my little one spoke to me, and the change that took place from then until morning was truly wonderful When the physician came before daylight, the child, who less than twelve hours before had seemed so very low, was propped up eating buttered toast. There seemed so much wrong thought to be overcome that the practitioner worked most faithfully for several weeks before the child's health was restored, but she then appeared normal in every way, with not trace of the affliction cause by the accident.

Another child, a sixteen-year-old boy, a sufferer from chronic ear trouble, developed a mastoid infection from influenza, and was ordered to the hospital for examination and an operation, if the family doctor's diagnosis was confirmed. Through the loving help of the same practitioner he was completely healed of the intense pain in three days, and his hearing, which had become very defective, was restored in a few treatments.

About this time I awoke to the realization that my prayer had been answered; for did not Jesus say, "By their fruits ye shall know them"? The consequences had been beautiful: one child restored to health when seemingly past all hope, and another spared a serious operation. That was the beginning. We have since been able to see the unreality of many ills which before seemed unavoidable, as well as the overcoming of many forms of sin. Through many of these helaings the practitioner has been most faithful in helping us to lift thought away from materiality to the divine Principle of all being.

Words can never express the gratitude I feel to the dear Father for giving us Mrs. Eddy and her writings, which show us how to the works which Jesus did; also for such consecrated workers as the practitioners and all the channels through which we may learn more of God's love and power. I pray daily for more spiritual understanding, that I may be able to prove by deeds the gratitude I feel.

(Mrs.) Lillian Wilkinson, Charlotte, Michigan.

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