I became interested in Christian Science some twenty...

Leslie G. McMillan

I became interested in Christian Science some twenty years ago through reading the questions and answers in "Miscellaneous Writings" by Mary Baker Eddy. This book had been presented to the ship upon which I was then serving, when Boston five years previously. For the next few years I read the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, and also the periodicals, but made no attempt to make use of Science. During that time I was suffering from catarrh, and eventually I realized that Science could heal it. With the help of a practitioner, the trouble quickly disappeared, never to return.

Since then I have had many demonstrations, including healings of sprains, scalds, and toothache. When I have been unemployed, work has quickly come from unexpected directions without my outlining or planning. On several occasions, our needs have been beautifully met. For the privilege of class instruction I am extremely grateful.

Recently, I have experienced wonderful protection. The ship upon which I was serving was attacked by an enemy airplane, and later by a submarine, and was eventually sunk. I found myself on a raft with ten others, and without food or water. I remembered reading in one of our pamphlets entitled "God's Law of Adjustment" that if we were alone in the midst of the ocean, with no apparent help at hand, there is law of God which, if correctly applied, would bring about our rescue. only question was, Did I understand that law sufficiently to apply it? I knew that it was a law—not luck or chance—which would save me. The following morning there were only five of us left, the others having died of exposure. I was then holding to two thoughts given by my teacher. One was, "Never submit to death; it does you no good; so resist it." The other was, "Always remember that in spite of the claims of mortal mind, 'the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.' "

On page 231 of Science and health these words appear: "To hold yourself superior to sin, because God made you superior to it and governs man, is true wisdom." Farther on Mrs. Eddy writes, "To hold yourself superior to sickness and death is equally wise, and is in accordance with divine Science." Many of our well-loved hymns came to my thought and strengthened me. That afternoon I mentally cried out, in the words of the Master, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" and instantly and so clearly came the reply, "I have not forsaken thee," and, "Fear not, I am with thee." I thereafter felt confident that I should be rescued.

The next morning I found myself with two bodies—all my shipmates having passed on. I had many claims to meet, such as cold, hunger, thirst, doubt, and weakness. Then I wondered what else I could do. I had not done my "daily work" properly, so I covered myself from the spray, and thought of God and the synonyms for Him as given in Science and Health (p. 465), then of man, and the qualities he expresses. When I looked up, I saw a steamer approaching, and I was soon picked up, having been nearly two and a half days on the raft.

Within a week I had been landed, and reached home, and I was able to testify at our branch church. Love and kindness were shown from all directions. Our home had been destroyed, but our needs were again beautifully met, and another home was soon found. Shortly afterwards, this new home was destroyed in a raid. Although the ceilings came down around us, and the roof of an air raid shelter to which we were sent was lifted and the wall shattered, neither I nor those with me suffered any harm. From friends, church members, and complete strangers came offers of another home, and we were soon comfortably settled again.

For all the blessings which have come to me through the study of Christian Science, for class instruction, for membership in The Mother Church and in a branch church, and for all the church activities, I am very grateful.

Leslie G. McMillan, Birkenhead, Cheshire, England.

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