In 1950, one of our young sons became ill. I soon recognized the symptoms of polio, which was then much publicized and minutely described in the newspapers in the area where we lived.

I began to pray about this problem, but because I was very fearful, I called a Christian Science practitioner for help. She sensed my anxiety, and after a few moments of conversation said, Dear, what is it you are afraid of? At this point I was so apprehensive that I could barely whisper the word "polio"' over the telephone to her. I shall never forget her immediate response. She said vigorously, "That is a fear word in mortal mind. God doesn't know it, and you are not afraid of it."

Instantly I felt a tremendous release from fear, and a sense of reassurance and confidence filled my thought. Christian Science treatment was begun, and my husband and I continued to pray as we are taught to do as students of Christian Science.

There was both fear and idolatrous possession of this boy to meet in our thinking, but we stood with unwavering confidence in the power of God to break the mesmeric lie. It took around-the-clock vigilance for two days, and on the third day it seemed at one point as though the child were passing on. I have always been grateful that, even at that time of deep testing, we were not tempted to waver in any degree in our faith that all was well. Late in the night the healing came, and it was one of the most joyous experiences of our lives. Early the next morning the child wakened as though from a bad dream, got up immediately, asked for food, and went about his normal activities. There was not so much as an hour's need of recuperation. Our joy and gratitude knew no bounds.

As this youngster grew up, I felt a deep sense of gratitude when the remark was made countless times to me by complete strangers that he had remarkably strong legs. This boy has enjoyed a full athletic program all through his school years and has excelled in every sport in which he has participated. During his high school and college years he had an outstanding record in football, placing high in national statistics his last two years of college. This is an especially remarkable record because he is considered small by commonly accepted standards for football players. On the day of his last college football game he expressed gratitude to me for the fact that in thirteen years of organized football competition he had never missed a single game on account of an injury.

In rearing a family of four boys, all keenly interested in athletics, my husband and I have had to hold both them and ourselves firmly to the fact that the boys' athletic participation was an outward manifestation of the qualities of their thinking. Some of these qualities are alertness, intuition, poise, unselfed love, dexterity, fearlessness, intelligence, dominion. Because these qualities are the expression of man's individual God-derived being, they cannot be touched or interfered with. The children were taught that their motive was to glorify God in all that they did and that their protection was in their understanding of this right motive. Establishing their thought practically in God's law in this way has not only resulted in their freedom to do their part in athletics and other right activities but has also served to protect them from a false buildup of egotism. In addition, it has freed their parents from the burden of fear, anxiety, pride, and false responsibility concerning them.

Another experience that continues to be a source of inspiration to our family is that of the complete healing of a severed finger. One of our sons caught his hand in a heavy garage door. His finger was severed above the second joint. Help was at once requested from a Christian Science practitioner, and immediately the pain was completely overcome. A member of our family soon arrived at our home bringing gauze and tape. Two of us were able to bandage the hand in a practical way, something we had had no training for. Everyone concerned turned thought resolutely away from any interest in what was going on materially underneath the bandage. We held to the truth that this experience was another opportunity to prove that no element of matter constituted the perfection, soundness, wholeness, and completeness of this child. This consecrated work went on for about three weeks.

During this time I prayed with all my heart that I would not be impressed, discouraged, or in any way moved by the evidence of the senses when the hand was uncovered. When the bandage was removed, my mother and I could only bow our heads in deepest humility and gratitude, for the new finger was perfectly formed. All the so-called needed elements of flesh, namely muscle, joint, tendon, nerve, and fingernail were perfectly manifested. Today this boy is serving in the Armed Forces of his country and has had a perfect record of health and freedom.

My husband and I were both reared in homes where the teachings of Christian Science were practiced. Since our marriage twenty-eight years ago we have had to make strong demands on Christian Science in every phase of our human experience, and it has never failed to meet our every need.

We have witnessed the healing of almost every manner of physical discord, besides human relationship and business problems, through the application of this truth.

I am profoundly grateful to Mary Baker Eddy for establishing the Christian Science Sunday School and for every avenue her God-inspired revelation has opened to humanity for progress in the understanding of Christian Science.

(Mrs.) Ann O. Spaulding, St. Louis, Missouri