The true sense of joy expressed...

Richard H. Carson

The true sense of joy expressed by a Christian Scientist attracted me to her. This young woman, who afterward became my wife, encouraged me to read the Christian Science literature and helped me to understand something of the teachings of Science.

Then one evening I experienced an injury and decided to see for myself if this law of Truth, about which I was learning, was practical and would work for me. While employed on a railroad I fell from a boxcar and badly sprained an ankle. Earlier accidents of this nature usually necessitated my losing at least a day's work.

When I arrived home my parents repeatedly suggested that I have medical help, but I rejected these suggestions and read for about an hour "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. The pain subsided somewhat, and I retired When I awakened the following morning there was no swelling or discoloration, and I was quite free. My joy was great, for I realized then that Christian Science is truly a demonstrable religion.

During the months previous to our marriage I overcame smoking, drinking, and gambling. The first year of our marriage I was inspector in an aircraft plant. Because I was acutely critical of the other workers' shortcomings in regard to their work and morals, there was an almost constant conflict of personalities. Later I overcame short-comings of my own, such as moodiness, impatience, and selfishness. Then I had the opportunity to work in a private school owned and managed by Christian Scientists, where I learned how much good one well grounded in Christian Science can do for youth.

Although I had previously made two unsuccessful starts toward a college education prior to my acceptance of Christian Science, I now re-entered college and also returned to work for the aircraft company during hours when I was not at college. My high school grades had been poor, and my previous college grades were little better; but with giving instead of getting as my impetus my grades constantly improved. At the aircraft plant I noticed that the workers' attitude and performance were much better. On examination I found that my idea of man had improved and that I was learning in Christian Science to see man at the standpoint of perfection.

Within four days after returning to the aircraft plant I was offered an opportunity to do more interesting work with better pay. Over-coming a sense of inadequacy, I gratefully accepted. By continuing to hold to the truth about man, I learned much about the new job, but more about the real man.

For the opportunity to give and to learn participation in church activities and for class instruction, I am very grateful. Much joyful work lies ahead of me in Christian Science, and I can say with Paul (Phil. 3:13, 14), "Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."—Richard H. Carson, Wichita, Kansas.

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