That Christian Science is leading mankind out of the chaos of materialism into the realm of the spiritual understanding of God and man, I have proved in my own experience. It is my hope that this testimony may bring encouragement to some other wayfarer in the path from sense to Soul.

About twenty-two years ago, during a leave of absence from the medical institution where I was serving, I went to New Hampshire to recuperate from an attack of influenza, from which I had previously suffered severely during World War I, while I was serving overseas as a Red Cross nurse. At the hotel I met a young woman whose happy manner and patience when I suffered severe coughing spells attracted me.

One day I noticed that my friend had two books which she read alternately. I asked what she was reading, and she replied, "The Christian Science Lesson-Sermon." She then related her healing of very severe periodic pain, which had at times incapacitated her for work. Now, through Christian Science help, she had been entirely free for many months. As I listened I thought, Nothing can help that condition but a surgical operation, and even that may be only temporary. I should know, since I have the same disability, which surgery relieved but for a short time. However, I concluded, I shall not disillusion her, since, after all, she has had no further suffering. No more mention was made of Christian Science, and in a few days I left the hotel, happier than when I arrived.

A year later, during another influenza epidemic, I was again struggling with an attack, accompanied by severe coughing and deep despondency. During a particularly dark hour, a nurse employed in the same institution spoke of a friend who had left the ranks of materia medica for Christian Science. I was impressed, for I knew that the friend had faithfully and efficiently taught and served the nursing profession for many years. Obtaining her address, I wrote and asked what Christian Science really was. The reply related the writer's healing and included addresses of local practitioners. Selecting the nearest. I asked for and was given an appointment, and between attacks of coughing listened with interest to the practitioner's explanations and declarations of God's goodness. A few days later, I was suddenly aware that the last spell of coughing had occurred in the practitioner's office. To my surprise and joy the periodic attacks of pain which had incapacitated me for a day or more also vanished permanently.

Soon after this I went through a period of illness, during which my books were put out of sight because of the prejudice expressed in the home towards what Christian Science was supposed to be.

A little later, a friend whom I had not seen for several years invited me to visit her. The last paragraph of her letter stated that Christian Science was lifting her out of inharmony. Hungering to learn more of the truth, I arrived at my friend's home and found her with an eighteen months' old baby who had been left in her care by his aunt, a Christian Scientist. My friend was studying the Lesson-Sermon and explained to me how to read it with her. A few days later the little fellow fell several steps from the porch to the ground. My friend came out immediately, and, picking him up, affirmed that no accident had occurred. I at once saw a large black lump on his forehead disappearing, and the child ceased crying. Many times previously I had declared, I shall believe only what I can see; and now I knew I had seen the operation of divine Truth.

Strengthened and fortified, I returned home and attended the Sunday service at The Mother Church, gaining a wonderful sense of rest and peace. Not long afterwards a severe headache caused me to reach for some headache tablets, but I thought, What power can matter have to kill or cure? From that moment I had no desire for medicine for myself or to administer to others.

Three or four months later a call came to a member of the family to open an office for his company in the Middle West, and he asked the family to join him there. Unhappiness over leaving The Mother Church caused me to seek help from a practitioner. She lovingly quoted from Science and Health (pp. 323, 324): "Willingness to become as a little child and to leave the old for the new, renders thought receptive of the advanced idea. Gladness to leave the false landmarks and joy to see them disappear,—this disposition helps to precipitate the ultimate harmony." Two days later, while talking with a friend, I found myself entirely free from all fear of the move, and this newborn confidence later opened the way for a business contact.

When the family returned to the East a year later I knew I must remain at my post. Frequent visits to a Reading Room comforted me and healed the sense of loss of home, and I was later led into a home of my own. Many healings have since been experienced by both my husband and myself.

When change of life came into my experience, fear and considerable nervous disturbance were manifested. While on a visit in Boston I was privileged to talk with the patient practitioner who had helped me when I moved to the West. Firmly she quoted from page 99 of Science and Health, and when disturbing symptoms recurred in the next few weeks I would turn my thought to this message, and the discord would vanish until I was entirely freed. Tobacco smoke in our home was becoming increasingly offensive, and I wrote to the practitioner. She advised that I hold to the definition of God given on page 587 of our textbook. One day, when the smoke seemed heavier than usual, I turned wholeheartedly to the thought of God as "the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-acting, all-wise, all-loving, and eternal." The smoke ceased to trouble me. Soon afterward my husband realized that he had not smoked for two days, and remarked, "I am through with smoking."

Today, when the great need for a universal knowledge of God is so apparent, how comforting it is to know that divine Science is leading men out from the slavery of false education into the freedom of enlightened understanding of God as all-inclusive good, and of man as His expression.

For membership in The Mother Church and in a branch church, for the patient help of practitioners, and for the wonderful privilege of class instruction with a consecrated teacher, I am thankful to God and Christ Jesus. My earnest desire is that I may be a worthy exponent of the teachings of our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy.—(Mrs.) Gertrude M. Downing, Detroit, Michigan.

I desire sincerely to confirm my wife's statement as to my healing of the tobacco habit of long standing. This and other healings I am very grateful to have received through Christian Science.

W. Robert Downing