My gratitude knows no bounds for the upbringing I have had and for the love of my parents in wanting to share their religion, which has given them much inspiration and comfort. I had the privilege of being enrolled in the Christian Science Sunday School of the local branch church at an early age, but I know that Christian Science is to be found practical only through one's individual study of the Bible and the textbook, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, as well as her other writings.

It is with much appreciation that I write of the following healing which I experienced while training as a Christian Science nurse at the Christian Science Benevolent Association, Chestnut Hill. The training itself is a joyous three-year period of individual growth, at the termination of which one goes forward with an enlarged understanding and practical ability to help mankind.

One morning soon after I had gone on duty, I was seized with acute pains and other alarming symptoms. I was by myself when this occurred, and I seemed to be losing consciousness rapidly. I became very fearful and was unable to think clearly, but I do remember repeating the statement "God is Mind" over and over to myself. The fear was so intense that I found I could not speak or call anyone. However, when I recovered consciousness a little later, I found a friend declaring aloud statements of truth from the textbook. I do not recall exactly what they were, but I felt the healing power of the Word envelop me. Another friend came and helped make me as comfortable as possible. A Christian Science practitioner, who was called, gave me treatment.

The fear soon disappeared, and in spite of being aware of a rather uncomfortable body, I felt a sense of peace and realized that I must claim my dominion over the suggestions of the material senses. I was reminded of Mrs. Eddy's words in the chapter entitled "Prayer" in Science and Health (p. 15), "We must close the lips and silence the material senses." As I prayed to do this, bodily discomfort gradually faded away.

After a few hours I was able to return to my nursing duties, but during the afternoon a severe sense of exhaustion and weakness presented itself. However, I kept on with my work and thought on this statement by Mrs. Eddy: "Whatever holds human thought in line with unselfed love, receives directly the divine power" (ibid., p. 192). I realized that helping to care for those who needed it was a form of unselfed love and so, as stated, I was able to receive divine power, which is strength.

I kept very close to that promise, and that evening I was able to usher at a Wednesday evening testimony meeting after rejecting the false suggestions that I couldn't possibly do so. I knew that Love takes us all the way. I was able to be at my post absolutely free, radiant, and sure of my identity as the child of our ever-loving Father-Mother God.

I am very grateful for this physical healing, but most of all for the lesson learned from the experience: absolute refusal to listen to or believe what the senses try to tell one, even at the height of the storm; also the invaluable lesson of persistence. I am grateful, too, for the loving support of the practitioner and the friends.

Disturbing human relationship problems have been met harmoniously when I have realized more clearly that God is Love and that Love is not feeble. It is omnipotent Principle. Once this has been more clearly seen in my thought, wonderful friendships have developed and blossomed, based on Love and Principle, God.

This testimony would not be complete without expressing my deep gratitude for the privilege of having had class instruction and for our annual feast at the association meeting. For the practicality of our religion as a way of life, I say, in all sincerity, "Father, I thank Thee."

(Miss) Susan Barbara Francis
Oswestry, Shropshire, England