My first healing in Christian Science was that of a severe earache when I was a young child. My mother had just begun the study of this Science, and was curious to see if what she was learning from the textbook, Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy, was true. She began to pray for me, and in just a few moments the earache was gone. I remember so clearly the sense of wonder and gratitude, not so much for the release from pain, but for the realization that there really is a God who loves us and is willing to help us. This knowledge and certainty of a God who cares for us has remained with me throughout the years.

Although I didn't apply or live the teachings of Christian Science consistently for a number of years, I always knew the teachings were true, and I turned to it in times of need. At one time, while away from home, working in a large city, I became very ill. My friend with whom I lived called a Christian Science practitioner in that area. The practitioner came to the house and began treatment. The pain ceased and I fell asleep. I was taken home to be cared for where Science was relied upon exclusively. At one time, I was later told by my mother, those around me thought I might be passing on, but again the practitioner was called; and through her strong prayerful work, thought was lifted to the truth that God is the only Life of man. Finally one day, shortly after the Bible was read to me, there was evidence that a growth or obstruction was expelled from my body. Recovery from that time on was very rapid and complete.

Since then I have had many healings in Christian Science. Although some have been through my own understanding, I am especially grateful to those wonderful practitioners who have taught me by healing me. I have been healed of colds and influenza in just a few hours. I have also been healed of a kidney ailment, pains in my chest, boils, effects of a fall in a boat, and of other things too numerous to mention. Business problems have been solved through this sure help and guidance. My husband was protected in a plane crash, and more recently all those involved were protected when my car slid on the ice and into another vehicle.

While experiencing the healing of an arm that had become very painful and useless, I learned a most valuable lesson. I learned that we bind ourselves with our own false, unloving beliefs about others, and that, paraphrasing Jesus, this prevents us from stretching forth our hand to help ourselves or others.

The study of Christian Science has brought me much joy, and with this study has come the freedom from any sense of depression. This freedom came when I realized that happiness and joy are spiritual, and that material circumstances can neither help nor hinder this joy. I learned that we can choose whom we will serve (see Josh. 24:15).

I am very grateful to God for all His goodness; for Christ Jesus, who showed us the way by his example; and for Mrs. Eddy, who loved all mankind enough to give us this wonderful practical religion.

(Mrs.) Betty J. Rowe
Marysville, Washington

I can really testify to the truth of being as taught in Christian Science. In fact, I would not be here today were it not for this demonstrable truth. It reveals the allness and power of God, Spirit, and that man is not a physical person but a divine, spiritual idea, expressing God.

Recently when driving to church one Wednesday evening, as I turned onto a fast highway, my car was struck on the driver's side by a car traveling at high speed, and my car was damaged beyond repair.

At the moment of impact my thought turned instantly to God, and I knew nothing discordant was happening in God's universe. God is All and present everywhere, and since God is Mind, all is Mind and its perfect manifestation. My desire was to prove this fact in spite of all the physical evidence to the contrary.

I did not want to go to a hospital, so, as my home was very near, a friend helped me to it, and the officers kindly came there to make the necessary reports.

My face was badly injured, and there appeared to be broken bones in my body.

A consecrated Christian Science practitioner was called, and as I have a large family, some of whom are not students of Christian Science, it was felt wise to have X rays, so I was taken to a hospital. The X rays showed two broken vertebrae, a broken collarbone and wrist bone, and several broken ribs, which had penetrated the lungs, causing such bleeding that there seemed little hope of recovery. There was nothing the doctors could do for me, and I was moved to a private room and had three shifts of nurses, some of whom kindly read to me from Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy.

Knowing that matter can make no conditions for man, the spiritual idea of God, I knew there was no truth in the medical verdict, that my breathing was actually my inspiration and this inspiration was in no way dependent upon physical lungs and the inhaling and exhaling of air.

The practitioner came to the hospital every day, and her clear thought and steadfast knowing of the perfection of God's idea annulled all pain, and the physical evidences of imperfection rapidly disappeared. My face has healed with no scars remaining to show the injuries which were extensive and severe.

Within one week X rays were again taken of my lungs, and they were clear. I insisted upon leaving the hospital and went to a Christian Science sanatorium. When I left the hospital, the doctor asked me to wear a light shoulder brace, because no bones had been set. And he predicted that because of my age many months would be required for the bones to heal.

One week after I went to the sanatorium, I returned to my home, and the next day, Sunday, I was able to be in my place as Second Reader in our branch church.

Less than a month after the collision I had a final X-ray checkup, and, to the amazement of the doctor, all bones were found to be perfectly healed. Two days later I was driving my new car.

This entire experience has helped me to realize more fully the truth in Mrs. Eddy's "scientific statement of being": "There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter. All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all. Spirit is immortal Truth; matter is mortal error. Spirit is the real and eternal; matter is the unreal and temporal. Spirit is God, and man is His image and likeness. Therefore man is not material; he is spiritual" (Science and Health, p.468).

My heart is filled with gratitude for Mrs. Eddy for discovering the scientific truth of man and the universe and making it available for everyone.

(Mrs.) Melodile G. Hathaway
Malibu, California