My father used to take our family...

Christopher N. G. Orton

My father used to take our family over thirty miles each Sunday to and from a Church of Christ, Scientist, enabling my younger brother and me to attend a Christian Science Sunday School, where we received great benefit from the clear and loving teaching given us.

Later, when I had been declared unfit for sea duty as a result of having had malaria, I was completely healed through the faithful work of a Christian Science practitioner. I took up a strenuous life once again, joined the Royal Navy in World War II, undertook hazardous service, and in fact lived the adventurous sort of life that I had always wanted to live as a boy.

During the war many instances of remarkable protection were experienced. On one occasion when I was undergoing training as a parachutist, the following words from the Bible came to me before leaving the plane for my first practice jump (Deut. 33:27): "Underneath are the everlasting arms." I took no notice of this angel message at the time, but a little later it returned to my thought. Still I remained unmoved. Once again it repeated itself most insistently to me. Only then did I acknowledge the message and receive it gratefully.

Shortly after this the signal flashed for the parachutists to take their action stations, and this was followed by the signal to jump. After leaving the plane I became aware that my parachute had not opened, but was streaming above me like a long candle. Then, without any fear, I realized why the message had come to me. When I was less than two hundred feet above the ground the parachute opened, and a perfect landing was made. Those watching were astonished when they saw me get up quite unhurt.

At another time, when I was in action, my automatic rifle struck against a door handle and the breech exploded full in my face, knocking me down. As I went down the thought came to me, "You've had it!" Immediately I shouted: "God is my Life. God is my Life!" I drew myself up against the wall into a standing position, but I could not see. Vehemently I declared, "God gives me my sight." Gradually my sight returned to me, and I was soon able to complete my task. Later I wired home for Christian Science help, which was most effectively given. For a week or two little pieces of twisted metal would occasionally push themselves out of my face and body, but they caused me no discomfort. Without any medical attention at all my face and eyes were soon normal, and I was entirely free.

These are but a few of the many experiences that have come to me of the power of God to uphold us whenever we turn to Him with our whole heart. I have found that when we are honest in facing the enemy within, the evil and loveless intents of the heart, there is no need to fear the enemy without.

I am indeed grateful to divine Love for having led me since the war to employment where for the first time in my life I have been able to join a branch church and take part in its activities. Membership in The Mother Church and class instruction are further blessings. As my thoughts turn to consider Mary Baker Eddy's great work for mankind I can only quote the Bible passage (Prov. 31:31), "Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates." —Christopher N. G. Orton, Dublin, Ireland.

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July 17, 1954

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