I am grateful to God for the many, many healings I have had since I commenced the study of Christian Science. When I began this wonderful study, I had no physical problems, but I was most unhappy. The career I wanted to pursue seemed ever to elude me. I was often told that I should enter another field, since this profession was not open to my people (Negroes).

I had spent years in preparation, and much money had gone into my education. Finally I asked the director of the school from which I had received my degree to allow me to become one of the faculty members, since all of the teachers held my work in great esteem. He was in favor of it. However, he said that he would have to consult the other members of the faculty, and if they agreed I would be admitted. He then solemnly added, "People of your race never ask for this subject." I was admitted, and stayed on the faculty for twelve years in the downtown section of my city. However, my classes were very small.

Then Christian Science was presented to me. A kind practitioner stated, "Since you have spent so much money and so many years learning your profession, without success, why not learn something about God?" I was so eager to find peace of mind that I shouted "Yes, yes, I will give it all up." Of course, I did not have to give up anything good to find God. I worked diligently with the verse from the Bible (Matt. 6:33), "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

I turned my thoughts toward God, and I truly comprehended the statement (Gen. 1:1), "In the beginning God." Three months later my own School of Speech was established. It was securely founded on my growing understanding of God as Truth and Love. And as my understanding of God and Christian Science grew, so did the school. It became an interracial institution, and many of its students have become successful ministers, teachers, actors, actresses, radio announcers. (There was one Christian Science nurse.)

I am truly grateful to God for the many healings I have had during the past twenty-six years: those of a sick business, chronic tonsillitis, influenza, a haughty disposition, cuts, burns, fractured bones, and many other falsities.

I am a member of The Mother Church and a branch church, and I have found a great joy in working for our great movement. I have had the wonderful opportunity of having class instruction from a most dedicated teacher. Daily she impressed this loving thought on my consciousness: "Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need" (Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, p. 494). For every dedicated teacher and practitioner of Christian Science, I give God the glory.

I shall never cease to be grateful to God for Christ Jesus, the loving Way-shower, and for Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of this wonderful and loving religion.

(Mrs.) Ethel Minns Lucus Chicago, Illinois

These words of Mrs. Eddy in her Miscellaneous Writings base my deep gratitude for Christian Science (p. 354): "A little more grace, a motive made pure, a few truths tenderly told, a heart softened, a character subdued, a life consecrated, would restore the right action of the mental mechanism, and make manifest the movement of body and soul in accord with God."

In my early life I had been faithfully instructed in orthodox religion, but ill health had completely broken my spirit, and although I obtained a blind comfort from my religion, I could not find an answer or healing to my problem and the deep discouragement that was part of it. The medical verdict was that nothing further could be done. At this point Christian Science was brought to me by a friend who left a Sentinel for me to read. Having been brought up in a Christian home, I did not believe that this new religion my friend presented to me could give anything more of God than I already had. Only out of loving appreciation for her thoughtfulness and care did I read it. Over the years I have realized with humble gratitude that this sincere and loving appreciation was the key that opened my thought to the Science of Christianity, the true understanding of Christ Jesus' teachings.

I talked with a consecrated practitioner and obtained the textbook, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, and began reading and pondering. For the first time I discerned God as omnipotent, ever-present good and man as made in His likeness. I could see that the understanding and application of this truth corrects and destroys every inharmonious situation or condition by first correcting thought. I continued studying, and in a few months my health was fully restored.

For many years Christian Science has been my only means of solving all problems, including those of health, through radical reliance upon God. Lack and depletion have been replaced with abundance, a more spiritual concept of home has brought continuing improved dwellings, grief at the passing of my husband was healed immediately, loneliness and loss were overcome.

One healing that has been particularly inspiring over the years was that of a growth. I was caring for a relative needing round-the-clock attention. Finding difficulty in moving my right arm one morning, I became alarmed. Pain developed and increased, and in a few days a lump protruded in my chest. Fear of not being able to care for those dependent on me weighed heavily. I sought treatment from a Christian Science practitioner, who because of previous commitments was unable to take my case. This happened also with a second practitioner, and I realized this to be a challenge to me.

During the conversation with one of the practitioners the words "every fiber of your being is spiritual" was declared as a truth and remained in my thought. During busy hours I would repeat them over and over, until I felt deeply that the truth of my very being was spiritual. I did not allow the physical condition into thought, nor did I look at or touch the outward manifestation. I devoted my whole thought and attitude to expressing "spiritual fiber"—Godlike qualities—in everything I was doing, knowing that these qualities constitute my true being.

So completely was the physical condition out of thought that I cannot say exactly when the healing came. My first realization was freedom from pain and easier action, and in only a few weeks I was perfectly free. It was then that I noticed the lump had completely disappeared. Much later, when seeking employment, I was required to have a medical examination during which the doctor remarked, "Well, there are no lumps anywhere." I was grateful for this confirmation of the splendid healing that had taken place.

(Mrs.) Winifred E. Symons Applecross, Western Australia, Australia