That environment does not govern man, that material...

Garnet C. Singleton

That environment does not govern man, that material surroundings have no power over his well-being—if he gratefully accepts his God-given heritage of mental freedom and earnestly holds to it—I have had conclusive proof.

I am still engaged in the line of business I was occupied with ten years ago, working in the same general surroundings and largely among the same people. Then, I seemed to be an unhappy failure in every way, in business, in health, and in my mental outlook. Now, I am gratefully conscious of having an abundance of everything that makes life really worth while. My business has improved consistently, my health has become such that my friends constantly remark upon it, and my happiness is so great that it is difficult to explain.

This reversal of former conditions came about through progressive stages, commencing with my awakening to the actuality of God, good, and continuing with gradual improvement—neither halting nor abating on account of depression or any other material circumstance. The business now has become reasonably prosperous, known for fair dealing and happy conditions. My health and happiness have kept pace with my improving mental outlook.

This radical change was brought about solely by the constant study and application to all problems of the truth contained in the Bible and explained and taught in Christian Science. I learned that true business is not money-making, but service-giving, and that as I gave out loving thoughts, kind words, and helpful ideas in my business contacts, bettered my employees' environment and led them to a higher state of thinking, the returns were rich beyond description.

I am grateful to have witnessed a section of industry rise from obscurity to a position of usefulness and respect, to have watched poverty give place to comparative affluence, and to have seen conditions of selfishness and discord change to those of brotherly kindness and friendliness.

An experience proving divine Love's protecting care, from which I profited considerably, took place when I was traveling alone by motor car on a journey of some seven hundred miles. Shortly before setting out I became aware that I was suffering from some form of influenza and that I was losing my voice. I felt, however, that the journey was necessary, so I left shortly after lunch, conscious that I was doing right and that I therefore could not suffer. As I journeyed I tried to sing, but could not, so contented myself with whistling and thinking of some hymns from the Christian Science Hymnal.

As night closed down I reached a desolate part of the road and, having a sense of weakness, stopped for a while to take some food. I drove on slowly in a clouded state until a late hour, when I pulled off the road and collapsed. Early next morning I was awakened by the sun, but found that I could not move, or even think clearly, and so for about two hours I struggled to reach a right concept of God and man, but seemed unable to remember even a single prayer. Suddenly a light seemed to flash in my consciousness, and with it there came to my mind the words from a favorite hymn,

"Faint not nor fear,
His arms are near;"

and my strength came again and I sat up. As I did so, my hand touched a Sentinel. I read several articles, and studied the week's Lesson-Sermon in the Christian Science Quarterly, and was then so much recovered that I was able to drive to my destination, some four hundred miles away. I arrived absolutely healed.

I am grateful for this and for many other evidences of God's all-protecting care, for the changed mental outlook that comes with the study and application of Christian Science, and for the certainty of what this means for all humanity.—Garnet C. Singleton, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

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Testimony of Healing

I know that Christian Science is the truth about God

March 5, 1938

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