As a child, I was fascinated by accounts of healing that were brought about by reading the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. How grateful I am to add my own experience to the long list of such healings!

During the summer before my senior year in college, I accepted a job in an organization that was seeking to relieve the difficulties of migrant farm laborers. Primitive working conditions in an unfamiliar part of the country did not trouble me as much as the requirement that I hold religious services in addition to organizing family welfare projects.

While praying for guidance, I remembered the experience of some early Christian Scientists who consulted Mrs. Eddy about difficulties in their branch church and were advised to read Science and Health thoroughly in one month. I resolved to adopt this goal and began reading at every possible moment. Not only was the textbook my constant companion but the truths it contains more consistently occupied my thoughts and were, in turn, demonstrated in my working experience. Mrs. Eddy tells us (ibid., p. 261), "Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts."

I shall always be grateful for a wonderful healing that took place at this time. One evening while I was showing a film in a migrant camp, my index finger was caught in the gears of the projector. Despite the frightening physical evidence, I felt completely calm, unafraid, and close to God. Many comforting statements of truth from Science and Health came instantly to thought, and Mrs. Eddy's words (p.468) "There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter" seemed especially clear.

The intense pain was quickly overcome, and I spent the night reading the textbook, confident that my need would be met. In carrying out my normal duties in the days that followed, I leaned on the statement from Science and Health (p. 444), "Step by step will those who trust Him find that 'God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.'" When I became discouraged over the physical picture, I wrote to a member of my family and asked for prayerful support, which was lovingly given.

By the end of the summer and the completion of my reading project, a new fingertip had appeared. The religious services for the migrant laborers had also evolved into a harmonious and effective activity. A whole well-shaped fingernail was in place when college opened, and I returned to classes with an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the spiritual growth and regeneration, as well as for the physical healing.

A greater appreciation of Mrs. Eddy and her discovery of Christian Science was an added blessing of this experience, for I began to see that human organizations can only be imperfect tools for helping to erase the suffering of mankind. As Christian Scientists, we serve and advance a Cause that can meet the world's needs completely.

For all the good that has come into my experience through the study and application of Christian Science, I am deeply grateful. Healings of accidents, disease, and discordant personal relationships have truly served as stepping-stones to a higher understanding of the teachings of our Master, Christ Jesus, and his devoted follower, Mrs. Eddy. The joyous privilege of class instruction resulted in greater freedom and purpose, and I can only echo the Biblical writer (Ps. 16:6): "The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage."

(Mrs.) Joan B. Nathanson, Wellesley, Massachusetts