Christian Science is founded on the Bible, and an understanding...

NEWTON T. BURDICK

Christian Science is founded on the Bible, and an understanding of its teachings heals, sustains, and protects God's children. The truth of this statement has been abundantly proved many times throughout my experience.

In my early boyhood I was taught to rely upon God for guidance and help, not only in time of sickness and trouble, but at all times, wherever I might be, at school or at play. It seemed quite natural to look upon my heavenly Father as a God of love, and by applying an understanding of the law of God as taught in Christian Science I expected and received help from Him in the solution of my daily problems.

A severe case of typhoid fever was healed through the aid of a Christian Science practitioner and the help of my mother, who steadfastly refused to be swayed by human opinion throughout this illness. The townspeople threatened violence to my parents unless a doctor was employed on the case, and even the members of our own household began to waver and doubt that Christian Science would be able to bring about this healing, but through all this experience my mother never wavered. She had no Christian Science friend upon whom she could call for counsel or advice, but she had a copy of the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, and during these troublesome days this book became her close friend, counselor, and comforter. The Christian Science practitioner who treated me for this difficulty, as well as for a case of smallpox at a later date, lived at a distance of about twenty-five hundred miles, and he was the nearest practitioner of whom we knew at that time. These two beautiful healings proved for us the words (Science and Health, p. 179), "Science can heal the sick, who are absent from their healers, as well as those present, since space is no obstacle to Mind."

An understanding of this practical religion has helped me to reform when I have indulged in careless living. It has helped me to be a better businessman; it has sustained and given me courage in times of business difficulties. During the years of depression through which we have just passed, it was found that the well-established mercantile business with which our family was closely associated was suddenly deprived of a large part of its earning power. Here indeed was a testing time. It was quite apparent that our business required more prayerful consideration on the part of myself and others. It was seen that the thoughts and motives concerning our firm must be thoroughly adjusted. I found it helpful to think of our company as one whose business it was to render service of a needful character, necessary to the welfare of our country as well as to our fellow men. Honest administration was seen to be most important, and it was good to remember that a large number of employees were maintaining their families as a result of this firm's activities. It was found necessary to revise our entire system and to employ other good, human, modern methods; the prompt payment of debts and obligations was necessary, and the discipline of operating and living upon a small income was helpfully experienced.

Looking to God for guidance in my business affairs, refusing to accept the false testimony of depressing world conditions, learning to trust Him more and more, I again found that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble," and I was able to go forward with more confidence. Our business responded to this better condition of thinking, and today we are grateful for the improvement in the affairs of this good, active organization.

I am grateful for an understanding of this practical religion, which is doing so much for mankind today. — NEWTON T. BURDICK, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

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