As a young man I became a...

Arthur M. Gelden

As a young man I became a victim of pain that was so severe I could not drive my car, lie flat on my back in bed, or turn the key to open the door. I was told by doctors that I was suffering from rheumatism and diabetes. No hope of a complete cure was given to me.

About seven years ago I realized that there was a way out of my dilemma when I read Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy. I read it from cover to cover, many times, and with each reading I gained tremendous inspiration and enlightenment.

It became apparent to me that the truths in this book were the key to my liberation. In the first chapter Mrs. Eddy points out (p. 1), "The prayer that reforms the sinner and heals the sick is an absolute faith that all things are possible to God,—a spiritual understanding of Him, an unselfed love." This sentence made it clear to me that love for God and my fellow men must motivate my every thought and action.

Jesus said to his disciples (Matt. 5:44), "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." These instructions were very hard for me to accept at first, but as I realized that only as we refuse to accept error as real can we prove man's dominion as the son of God, a better understanding of forgiveness, humility, and love came to me. Shortly afterward I was completely emancipated from all my ills and felt better than I ever had before in my life.

One day some time after this healing took place I was working on a complicated set of blue prints. Suddenly everything before me became cloudy, and I could not continue with my work. I told myself that I needed a new pair of glasses, and before the week was over my prescription was filled. But a few days afterwards the cloudiness returned.

This time I was plagued with the thought of the plight of my grandmother, who had become totally blind. But thanks to my growing understanding of the truth of God and man, gained from my study of Christian Science, I immediately rejected this false thinking and endeavored to clarify my concept of sight.

The next morning I had my eyes re-examined. I was told that I would have to return every two weeks for new glasses, and that unless I submitted to an operation without delay, the consequences might be very serious.

I never went back, because I decided to turn entirely to God in solving this problem. Steadfastly I acknowledged that man is His perfect reflection. One morning when I was studying the Lesson-Sermon from the Christian Science Quarterly with my wife, I discovered that I did not have my glasses on, and I have not required them since except for night driving. For this demonstration of God's healing power, I am endlessly grateful.

When I embraced Christian Science, I gained a new understanding of God and of how to worship Him. This has resulted in a wholly new way of life for me. —Arthur M. Gelden, Chicago, Illinois.

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