It would be rather difficult to...

Alba E. Harp

It would be rather difficult to express the full measure of my gratitude for the understanding of God as afforded by the study of Christian Science.

My recent return to civilian life gives me an opportunity to look back on an experience replete with proofs of God's protecting power. Our type of service was considered very dangerous, and we were thought to be "highly expendable." However, proofs of God's presence, stalwart denials of this lie, stood as beacons along the sea lanes and at the five major invasions in which we had part.

On two occasions the situation seemed beyond control. The atmosphere was permeated with the viciousness of "this is it." Disaster appeared inevitable. Yet it is easy to know the truth under such circumstances, for when you have been long in "man's extremity" you welcome "God's opportunity." We were delivered in each case. The first was a terrific shelling on a beachhead. We were hit, but our casualties were very light. We fully accomplished our mission and returned safely to our base.

The second was in the open sea approaching an island for an initial landing. Planes had been pressing the attack for days, and men were weary from loss of sleep. We left general quarters at full daylight to go below and have breakfast. Hardly had we seated ourselves when the general quarters alarm was again sounded. A mad scramble was made to get to our battle stations. The planes were already in view. The lead plane launched its torpedo, which struck a near-by ship. The second plane loosed one at us; it was close, but it missed. The debris from the first explosion sprayed our decks. Other attackers were fast closing in. The suggestion came with all of the doubt and questioning of Belshazzar (Dan. 6:20), "Is thy God... able to deliver thee?"

I had heard others tell of some particular truth to which they had turned in time of need. Although we were very much preoccupied with the human business of the day, these words of one of our hymns came to me:

O Love, our Mother, ever near,
To Thee we turn from doubt and fear!
In perfect peace our thoughts abide.

The question was openly voiced, "How did we do it?" Never before had we gotten to our guns with such speed; never before had we done everything so completely right. I held a silent thanksgiving on the spot, feeling a great sense of gratitude and humility.

It would be easy to enumerate dozens of instances, covering a period of twenty-three months at sea, in which we experienced remarkable protection, doubtless the effect of the good work done by those at home.

I have had many physical healings over a period of years, including those of influenza, a fractured wrist, a crushed hand, and minor difficulties too numerous to mention here.

Words cannot express my gratitude for practitioners everywhere and for class instruction. It is my happy privilege to praise God for His goodness, for Christ Jesus, and for the spiritual insight of Mary Baker Eddy in giving the world a working knowledge of God's Word.—Alba E. Harp, Alexandria, Louisiana.

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