Christian Science found me working as a medical secretary in the midst of a large medical center. This was a time of deep trouble in my life following surgery for what was diagnosed as a malignancy. The doctors had advised me of my status and had kindly pointed out I had a very uncertain future and there would probably be a recurrence within a prescribed time. I was placed under therapy treatment and admonished not to do certain things which could affect my condition. I returned to my job and tried to put the whole matter behind me, but it possessed my thinking, and I was unable to find peace anywhere.

The textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, sent by an old friend, arrived in the mail at this time. In a despondent state of mind and with a head full of medical dictation, I began to read this wonderful book. The line in the Preface of Science and Health (p. vii), "The wakeful shepherd beholds the first faint morning beams, ere cometh the full radiance of a risen day," illumined my thought, and I read on eagerly.

Soon, through daily study, I was able to demonstrate the small degree of understanding I had gained by resigning my job and looking to God for direction. This led me to a new field, where I have remained since and where many wonderful things have opened up. Everything became fresh and new; many beliefs of limitation and insecurity were overcome. I became increasingly aware of what was wrong in my thinking and how it affected my experience. There were many character traits that needed to be eliminated. There was much in consciousness to be uprooted, and I learned to take constructive criticism, which opened my thought to further self-examination.

Some years later sores appeared on my body. I was very much preoccupied with various projects, and the thought came that I was too busy to bother with the condition. I rather resented the intrusion on my activities. When the condition worsened, I grew very fearful.

One day at the office I became suddenly very ill. With the support of a Christian Science practitioner I was able to drive my car home. A day or so later I called the practitioner and told her I thought I'd better call another practitioner, since I wasn't getting any better. She serenely replied that that was my decision but that I had better be aware that it was sympathy I was looking for and this she could not give me—that she could only give me the truth, for that alone could set me free.

I accepted this wisdom at once, and she continued her treatment. She further said that I must help myself and that this meant praying until I could see through the false picture to the spiritual reality of my being, untouched by material conditions. At first this seemed difficult, for my medical background told me that what I was seeing imaged on my body was cancer, and I felt I was in "the valley of the shadow of death" (Ps. 23:4). Although the condition continued to grow worse, I worked with greater consecration.

As I became more and more absorbed in study of the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's writings, a sense of peace began to dawn. I studied all the references on Spirit in the Concordance to Science and Health. Among the other things I also studied was the platform from the chapter, "Science of Being." These passages had always seemed obscure to me, but now I found deep healing in them. One paragraph begins (p. 330): "God is infinite, the only Life, substance, Spirit, or Soul, the only intelligence of the universe, including man. Eye hath neither seen God nor His image and likeness. Neither God nor the perfect man can be discerned by the material senses." The twenty-third Psalm seemed infinitely more beautiful than ever before, and I rested in its promise.

I ceased to think about my responsibilities at the office, the onrush of the Christmas holidays, and all the clamoring demands of the material world and thought of the deep things of God. The words from the ninetieth Psalm (verse 4), "For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night," express the feeling that came to me.

One day there was a sudden change, a release of pressure, and the diseased condition began to break up and disappear. Over a period of days all the symptoms faded like the image from a television screen. I can never be grateful enough for the inspired work of the practitioner, who was at my call day and night. I saw in this that for one who has an understanding of the absolute Truth, radical reliance on God is natural, not extraordinary.

I am deeply grateful for what I have learned through this experience and grateful that I am a Christian Scientist. "For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life" (Prov. 6:23).

(Mrs.) Phyllis H. Stoddard
North Hollywood, California