I would like to express my gratitude for the many avenues available for the study of Christian Science, which forwards our spiritual growth and understanding of God and man. I am particularly grateful for class instruction and hope this testimony may help someone who is contemplating this step.

When I knew that I wanted to take class, I began looking for my teacher, knowing that because God guides man in a righteous endeavor my teacher and I, both desiring to glorify God, would be brought together. In a neighboring city I heard a Christian Science lecture that greatly impressed me. On checking the list of practitioners and teachers in The Christian Science Journal, I found that this lecturer was a teacher. Several months later, while on vacation near this person's home city, I requested an interview with him. During the interview I was given an application form to use if I desired to apply for class instruction. I did make application for the class to be given one year from that time.

Then began the workings of mortal mind. Although I would not consciously acknowledge them, a myriad of questions kept coming to thought: Was this really my right class? Was this the right teacher? Was I actually ready for class? Should I have chosen a teacher closer to my own home? Whenever these doubts tried to present themselves, I shoved them away, making no real attempt to clear them up. This went on for several months. I sincerely desired class, and yet these nagging doubts kept clamoring for attention.

Finally, one night a month or so before class was to begin, just before I went to sleep, I faced these doubts squarely. I simply said, "Father, I don't know if I belong in this class or not; but if I do, I'll be there!" Immediately the thought came with clarity in the words from a hymn in the Christian Science Hymnal (No. 290): "Press on." Then came the word "obedience." I didn't know what this meant, so I just listened. It came to me that I had not been obedient to the injunction from the teacher to keep confidential my plans for taking class. Although I had not actually told anyone, I had nevertheless done a great deal of talking about class instruction, trying to alleviate my doubts by asking questions about it. I had done everything but say that I was going. I felt quite at peace about the whole thing after this, and I stopped talking. Then, to cap the demonstration, about two weeks later I received in the mail the final instructions for the coming class. Even before I read the letter, I felt a most joyous sense of complete peace come over me. I knew that I was in my right place, that this was a right step, and that I would be in class.

I am very grateful for this experience and for the two weeks of class instruction. To me they are the most wonderful two weeks a person can have because they truly open a door to our understanding of God and man that can never be closed to us again. I am deeply grateful for Christian Science and for Mrs. Eddy's wisdom in providing this step in the Manual of The Mother Church for those who are seriously seeking the Science of Truth.

(Mrs.) Angelyn Blanchard
Riverside, California