I am most grateful for Christian Science and what it has meant to me and my family over the years. Six years ago I decided to further my education in music by working toward a doctorate. I had not attended college or conservatory for ten years and in the meantime had founded a music school of my own with a faculty of twenty-five and about three hundred students. It was therefore not easy to suddenly move to another city, as I was required to do to meet the residence requirement.

To work out all of the problems, I asked for help from a Christian Science practitioner, who told me that the problem existed right in my own thinking, and that since I always had relied on God for all I needed, He would supply this need too. I worked with this statement in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mrs. Eddy(p. 494): "Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need." I also realized that I had to eradicate fear and any consideration of time.

I was led to place an advertisement in The Christian Science Monitor, and I believe the third reply I received made me realize that my need had been met. The person applying came to see me, and it was evident that her background and training fitted her perfectly for the many duties of the position. She not only took over the directorship of the school but our apartment as well.

Following Mind's direction, I wrote to a branch church Reading Room in the city to which we would be moving and later heard of a couple who wanted to rent their home for a year. I phoned them, and we made a trip to see their house and found that it met our every need.

While in this city, during my Christmas vacation at a time when I needed to study for final exams, I had a most remarkable recovery from a severe attack of the flu. We also had a wonderful demonstration of supply, since I had gone to this city with no financial assistance except a small stipend from the school and some savings. We had only been there a few weeks when the school informed my wife of a vacancy in a public school position, which she was able to accept. This was a real blessing, and it enabled us to do many things we otherwise could not have done.

My wife taught in the inner-city school district and became so discouraged with the attitude and lack of discipline of the children that she wanted to quit her job. However, she realized that she needed to see the real man of God in all her relationships and express more love. In doing so she was able to give much to the children, and it proved to be a rewarding and unforgettable experience.

During this period I had to work to overcome a great sense of fear in performing a piano concerto, which I was required to do in addition to giving a lecture recital. I prayed daily to understand the Bible promise that "perfect love casteth out fear" (I John 4:18). I also had to meet the aggressive thought that I could not pass my exams. Having not been in school for many years, I found it difficult to get back into a regular routine of study, but by perseverance and the realization that there is one Mind governing I gained the needed assurance. I saw that the same divine intelligence that is asking the questions is also answering them. I was able to overcome every obstacle which seemed to stand in the way of receiving the degree.

The entire experience of working toward the degree covered the years 1962-1969, since I did most of the work in the summer with the exception of the year in residence. The problems of being away from my family, of returning to a study routine, of sufficient supply to meet tuition expense, of overcoming a great sense of fear, were all met through the study and application of Christian Science.

I am most grateful for the loving help of the practitioners and for class instruction, which has enabled me to be a better working Christian Scientist.

Frederick Koch
Rocky River, Ohio