My mother, for whose courage and steadfastness I shall always be grateful, took up the study of Christian Science when my brother was a small child. Through Christian Science treatment he was permanently healed of a complication of diseases that the attending physician had said would probably prove fatal within a short time. As children we had the privilege of attending a Christian Science Sunday School, where we learned how to apply and make practical use of the great truths of God and man contained in the Bible.

I found this religion of inestimable help all during my school years, in finding employment later, and in every activity of my daily life. I have been blessed with a happy marriage to one who shares my interest in church work and the good it unfolds. I am most grateful for this and for the help it has been in rearing two children.

The first healing I experienced as a result of my own efforts occurred when I was a young teen-ager. One evening I became aware of a very uncomfortable condition I believe would have been diagnosed as hives. I had recently heard the symptoms of this disease described in detail. I had a great desire to put my own understanding of Christian Science to the test and to see if I could eliminate the condition by my own efforts.

I studied thoroughly "the scientific statement of being" by Mrs. Eddy, which states in part (Science and Health, p. 468): "There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter. All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all." I fell asleep while meditating on the truths of this statement; and when I wakened in the morning, not a single symptom of the discomfort remained. I was very grateful to realize that I had proven for myself those words of Christ Jesus: "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32).

During the Second World War a healing of measles took place quickly in our home when my great desire was to protect from fear of contagion the mothers of other small children whom our child had been with the day before. I recalled what Mrs. Eddy says on page 154 of the textbook, Science and Health: "If a child is exposed to contagion or infection, the mother is frightened and says, 'My child will be sick.' The law of mortal mind and her own fears govern her child more than the child's mind governs itself, and they produce the very results which might have been prevented through the opposite understanding."

After praying over the situation for a few moments, I turned to my child and saw that several of the spots had disappeared. I could hardly believe my eyes at first, but closer examination proved it to be so; and within a few hours the neck, chest, and body were entirely free of the red spots. None of the other children in the group my child had been with the day before experienced the disease.

At one time an illness in the family, which had continued unabated for over a week and was causing alarm, was overcome when it was revealed to us that prayer for our nation and world should be a daily requisite and not be neglected any more than prayer for oneself would be neglected. There is always a lesson to be learned from every trying experience, and if we sincerely desire to learn the lesson, we can say as did Jacob, "I will not let thee go, except thou bless me" (Gen. 32:26).

At the time our son was leaving home to enter college, our daughter and her family also unexpectedly moved to another part of the state. Frequently friends and relatives would mention to us that our lives would be changed now and that our home would be very lonely. We put these suggestions out of our thinking. I saw that since, in reality, we live in God, there can be no lapse of good. In the presence of God, good is never absent but unfolds. And by the same token there can be no sense of separation because our dear ones are just as near to us as our thinking. I saw clearly that we cannot be separated from God; therefore we cannot, in reality, be separated from each other. This realization completely healed any sense of loneliness and brought happiness to my heart and an eagerness to get on with the work at hand.

In Miscellaneous Writings Mrs. Eddy states (p. 82): "Man is the offspring and idea of the Supreme Being, whose law is perfect and infinite. In obedience to this law, man is forever unfolding the endless beatitudes of Being; for he is the image and likeness of infinite Life, Truth, and Love."

For the wide channels provided by The Mother Church, for our growth in the understanding of Christian Science, for devoted teachers and practitioners, for the wonderful experience of class instruction, and for the continuing opportunities for service that church membership brings, I am sincerely grateful. Truly, Christian Science is much more than a religion. It is the way of Life.

(Mrs.) Thelma Thomson
Sheridan, Wyoming

I knew very little of Christian Science and the wonderful healing it brings to those who give it careful consideration until I met my wife. I wish to verify her testimony. Christian Science has given me an entirely different outlook and helped me solve many difficult business problems and minor illnesses. I have not had any serious illness, and I know this in itself is the result of the protection Christian Science affords its followers.

George F. Thomson