"Thou shalt have no other gods before me" (Ex. 20: 3)'

Ruby Price Staton

"Thou shalt have no other gods before me" (Ex. 20: 3)`. At a time when I was suffering very severe pain from what medical science diagnosed as arthritis of the spine, a friend asked if she might read to me the Lesson-Sermon in the Christian Science Quarterly for that week. The subject was "Man."

I consented, and as she read the words of the First Commandment from the Bible, quoted at the beginning of this testimony, I found myself analyzing them. In a flash I thought, "Why, I have many gods, and at this time the aspirin bottle is my number one god."

Doctors and specialists had prescribed for me for years, but their treatment had failed to give me permanent relief. I had accepted the pain as something to live with and had sought relief through pain pills. One doctor had suggested that I limit my activities, giving up any action such as lifting, stooping, or reaching.

However, with this new light and a clearer understanding, I looked ahead for a greater knowledge of man as spiritually created, and of his relationship to God. I read the first chapter of Genesis with more spiritual perception than I had ever realized before. It was so simple in its statements (verse 27): "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." And the last verse of this chapter says (verse 31), "And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good."

Much was revealed to me within the next few days. I read the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, intently. This key opened many avenues of thought, giving me a great new understanding. Telling of her own healing, Mrs. Eddy says, "When apparently near the confines of mortal existence, standing already within the shadow of the death-valley, I learned these truths in divine Science"; and she lists first: "that all real being is in God, the divine Mind, and that Life, Truth, and Love are all-powerful and ever-present" (Science and Health, p. 108).

This gave me a feeling of my oneness with God as His image and likeness. A completely new conception of man came to me. Within three days I was able to get in and out of bed alone, and within two weeks I was without pain. I was healed! This was fifteen years ago, and there has been no recurrence of the diseased condition.

God's revelation to Mrs. Eddy of this Christlike understanding which Jesus had of God's creation enabled her to present these truths to the world. I am most grateful for this and many healing thoughts with which I have been blessed through these years.

Now I know for a certainty there is no other god. Church membership and class instruction have greatly enriched my life. I have found a better way, and in submitting this testimony my prayer is that some others may be helped in their search for peace and learn that, as Christ Jesus states, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32).

(Mrs.) Ruby Price Staton
Monterey, California

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