My introduction to Christian Science came when I was only thirteen years old. At that time my mother was going through a deep sorrow, having just lost a loved one. We were invited by a neighbor to a Wednesday evening testimony meeting. The first ray of comfort my mother had received for weeks came when someone got up and quoted the Bible verse (Matt. 11:28), "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." A visit to a Christian Science practitioner the next day brought immediate comfort—a comfort which she had failed to receive through her previous religious affiliation. She became an earnest student of Science, and I was entered in the Sunday School. That was over thirty-six years ago. Since that time Christian Science has met my every need.

Through the understanding and application of Christian Science, our two sons, now grown, have been greatly blessed. They have never used medicine in any form. When one son was five years old, we were confronted with alarming symptoms, including delirium and a heavy rash. A health officer was called, since the boy had been playing with several other children. The officer immediately pronounced it a severe case of scarlet fever, advised us to call a physician, and set down many precautions which we were to take.

However, I used my slight understanding of Christian Science, and within twenty-four hours the child was completely healed and running about the house, playing merrily. The rash disappeared a few days later, and no after results were ever manifested. Our younger boy, who was with him constantly, did not get it, nor did any of the children he had previously played with. I found the following quotation from Nahum a comfort on this occasion (1:9), "Affliction shall not rise up the second time."

I should especially like to express gratitude for an experience we had during the war. A month after our son had entered the Army, and while he was in training in the East, a telegram came informing us that he had contracted double pneumonia and spinal meningitis and was not expected to recover. Our other son and I were alone at the time the message came. We immediately began reading the twenty-third Psalm and the one hundred and thirty-ninth Psalm (verses 7–11). We realized how imperative it was that we hold fast, and I had the feeling that I was literally reaching out and grasping God's hand, so near did He seem. Not for one second did I look to any material help, but realized that only God could save him. I immediately sent a telegram to the Christian Science Wartime Minister at the camp where my son was stationed and also telephoned to a local practitioner to begin work for my son and me.

We were able to obtain tickets on the plane within a few hours, and when we arrived at the camp the doctor in charge told us there was absolutely no hope for our son's recovery. We were informed they had done all they could do for him. He had been unconscious for two days. However, so complete was the work being done for me that although the picture confronting me upon arrival at the hospital was most terrifying, I was able to look in at our son calmly and with absolute confidence in God's ability to heal. As I stood there, the heavenly inspiration came to me that his real and only life was not in that material body, but safe and protected in God, where no belief of fatality could touch him.

I did not go back to the hospital for three days, but clung steadfastly to the realization of God's protection, though to the human senses he grew no better and was still unconscious. Meanwhile Christian Science work was constantly being done for us. At the end of the fifth day I was suddenly enveloped in a sense of peace; all fear left me.

Early the next morning we were told that unexpectedly our son had completely regained consciousness and wished to see us. Great confusion had set in among the doctors and nurses because of the suddenness and completeness of his recovery. They were awed by the incredibility of it.

Although he had lost over fifty pounds, he regained his strength quickly and in a short while was home on a furlough, active and entirely well. Soon afterward he was going through the most rigorous infantry training in the hottest season of the year. He was also beautifully protected through his subsequent experiences overseas. I wish to take this opportunity to express deep gratitude to the practitioners who so lovingly and unselfishly stood by us during these dark hours.

We are told in Ephesians (4:24) to "put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness." As I humbly strive for this renewed consciousness, I am deeply grateful that this great truth which Jesus taught and practiced has been revealed to us again through Christian Science, with its blessed "signs following."—(Mrs.) Grace I. Hodges, Beverly Hills, California.