In the fortieth Psalm we read...

Frances Bagnall

In the fortieth Psalm we read (verse 10), "I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation." One way whereby a Christian Scientist may declare God's faithfulness and salvation is through a testimony in our periodicals.

I became interested in this teaching because of the love expressed by one whom I knew to be a Christian Science practitioner. Although a child at that time, I knew from what I saw of her life and loving ministry that this religion must be a beautiful thing. This seed sown in my thought was to develop and spring forth later.

When I enrolled in college, I was accepted only with the provision that I take the regular four-year course in five years, as the medical authorities of the school did not consider me strong enough for the rather strenuous academic activity required. I felt that Christian Science could help me and I occasionally attended the Sunday School in our college town; but in the summer preceding my senior year a persistent and distressing bronchial difficulty necessitated a much more definite stand, and then I really turned to Science, asking for treatment from the practitioner whose good work I had observed. Not only did she help me to realize my physical freedom effectively and speedily, but she also showed me how to begin a real study of this great truth. I shall never forget the happy, uplifting hours in her quiet home, where I glimpsed the power and presence of our Father-Mother God and began to understand His care for me as one of His children.

Of course I have been continuing that study ever since, rejoicing in the progress that has been made, and feeling grateful for many blessings—for the opportunity to serve our Cause through a position with the Publishing Society, for the great privilege of class instruction with all its very practical help and wonderful inspiration, and for a growing understanding that God's law, the only law there is, is one of perfect harmony.

In connection with two other physical problems, a difficulty with my eyes and a severe attack of intestinal influenza, I am grateful particularly for the love shown me at the Sanatorium of the Christian Science Benevolent Association in Chestnut Hill, where the consecrated work of the nurses and associates was of great benefit in bringing about the healings.

Among the many activities of The Mother Church, all of which we owe to Mary Baker Eddy as the Leader of our movement, I am grateful especially to and for our Christian Science teachers and practitioners. They exemplify the truth of a passage in Mrs. Eddy's Message to The Mother Church for 1901 (pp. 9, 10): "He of God's household who loveth and liveth most the things of Spirit, receiveth them most; he speaketh wisely, for the spirit of his Father speaketh through him; he worketh well and healeth quickly, for the spirit giveth him liberty: 'Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.'"

In one of her lovely poems our Leader writes (Poems, p. 4),

"His habitation high is here, and nigh,
His arm encircles me, and mine, and
all."

I thank God that through Christian Science I have some knowledge of the fact that His arm—His protection, affection, strength, support, and guidance—does encircle me and mine and all the world.— (Miss) Frances Bagnall, Boston, Massachusetts.

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