Since my first testimony was published in a Christian Science Sentinel several years ago, my family and I have had many proofs of God's care and the power of prayer we find through our study of Christian Science. That prayer, based on an understanding of God's allness and omnipresence, can heal difficult human relationships was proven to me recently in my work as a substitute teacher in the public schools.

I was asked if I would teach for three weeks a small group of eleven- to fifteen-year-old children classified as mentally retarded. All had learning problems and some were volatile of nature, extremely profane and almost totally uncontrollable at times. I lacked the special training required for this work, so I was very apprehensive.

I earnestly prayed to know what to do. Finally I saw this as an opportunity to put into practice an understanding of man's perfection as God's image and likeness, and I accepted the assignment. I asked a Christian Science practitioner to support my efforts in this line, and I was grateful for her encouragement and reassurance throughout the experience.

A further source of inspiration was the study of the weekly Lesson-Sermon in the Christian Science Quarterly. Passages such as the following from the Psalms were very helpful: "The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me" (138:8) and "It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect" (18:32). In Science and Health Mrs. Eddy writes (p. 89): "Mind is not necessarily dependent upon educational processes. It possesses of itself all beauty and poetry, and the power of expressing them." The practitioner helped me see that because I was the reflection of this divine Mind which is God, I expressed the intelligence necessary to teach these children. I acknowledged that the children, too, reflected the one perfect Mind. I saw there could not be a retarded mind.

The first two days with this class were almost unbelievable. The violent outbursts and angry defiance seemed overwhelming, but I held to the fact that God is governing His idea, man, at all times, and that obedience is natural in the child of God's creating.

By the third day I began to see a change in attitudes and dispositions. There were still many crises, but each one subsided more quickly than the last, and I learned to express more understanding and patience. However, one morning early in the second week, there was such violent turmoil manifested that I decided I would have to give up the assignment. But as I sat alone in the classroom almost overcome with discouragement, these questions came to thought: "Do you really believe Christian Science heals? Can scientific, spiritual, right thinking really help this, or can't it?" I fervently answered in the affirmative and there came to my thought these words from one of Mrs. Eddy's hymns quoting Genesis (Poems, p. 7):

Immediately the heaviness and weight of personal responsibility began to lift, and I declared with conviction, "This turmoil among the children is an illusion. Our heavenly Father made these children loving, perfect, and obedient and keeps them that way."

When the class returned, I was awed by the stillness and peace that filled the room. An hour later there was further proof of healing, for the school librarian said, "You have worked a miracle. I have never seen these children so calm and well-behaved." I told her that full credit belonged to God and explained that as a student of Christian Science I had endeavored to see these children as governed by God.

The remaining days were joyous ones, and my heart was filled with genuine love for the class. Difficult problems dissolved quickly as divine Love showed a way to resolve each one. I received gentle apologies for misbehavior and promises to do better. Profanity stopped almost entirely, fighting and angry verbal barrages all but ceased, and greater cooperation and willingness to complete assignments were expressed.

Words can never express my gratitude for this opportunity—and many more I have known since—to bear witness to the spiritually perfect nature of the child of God's creation, the only child there is. Mrs. Eddy clearly saw this when she wrote (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 262): "God creates man perfect and eternal in His own image. Hence man is the image, idea, or likeness of perfection—an ideal which cannot fall from its inherent unity with divine Love, from its spotless purity and original perfection." It is good to know this, and how grateful I am that Mrs. Eddy proved it first and then set it forth clearly so that each of us may prove it in our own experience.

(Mrs.) Marion L. Martin
Myrtle Creek, Oregon

My wife shared with me this experience in her school activities. I am deeply thankful to have witnessed God's love for His children, and, as a member of The Mother Church and of the local Christian Science Society, to see the healing effect of Science at work in the community.

Donald R. Martin