After two years of hospitals and many operations my husband passed on. My home was gone, as well as finances, and my health was impaired. I was bewildered. Several relatives had gone the same way with cancer before this.

One night my brother came to see me and said, "I have brought you this book. It has helped others." I said, "Have you read it?" He said, "Not really. I am not a Scientist." I said, "Thank you, dear, but I could not read such a thick book. You know I love sewing, but I have no heart to sew."

So he took it away, and to my surprise came the next day and said, "You're so unhappy, dear, just open it and peep inside." As he was so kind, I took the book and promised to read it. It was six o'clock when he left me, and I curled up in a very big armchair and started to read then and there. When next I looked up, it was six o'clock next morning. I was thrilled with what I had read in Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy. I had not heard of her before, but she led me to understand Jesus—the things we had longed to know, and above all, to see why our prayers had gone unanswered.

I did not pray for three months. I thought I would wait until I knew God and He would heal me. So for three months I searched the Bible through study of the Lesson-Sermon in the Christian Science Quarterly and read all of Mrs. Eddy's books. At the end of three months I was gaining ground and feeling less full of fear.

Then one day my mother phoned to say she was on the Island and had found a flat, and she invited me to go to see her. I was overjoyed about this, so went off early. But alas, she did not know of Christian Science and reveled in all the ugly experiences I had gone through. When I left her, I was back in the depths of despair, where I had started, terrified, lonely, and desperately ill.

At home, I ran to where the Bible and Science and Health were and hugged them to me, and then I slipped onto my knees and said humbly, "Dear God, You know I have searched and knocked. Please let me feel Your presence." Immediately a gentle warmth filled my heart and I felt assured and at peace.

After a lovely sleep (the best one for three months) I wakened full of the most wonderful joy, and a sense of light and warmth seemed to envelop me. I was surprised to find I was sitting up in bed. I knew it was God's gentle presence—the joy and warmth and love I felt—as I very humbly and joyously said with a deep sense of gratitude, "Thank You, dear, dear God."

From that time on, sorrow, fear, and ill health left me completely —along with all the ugly pictures and struggles. My husband seemed as close as God, all in the gentle presence. It was so comforting and complete. I still have the sense of joy and happiness and well-being. This healing was my first answered prayer. It has been precious to me.

I became a Scientist at once and soon joined a branch church. Over the years I have had the joy of service in all the different offices, First Reader, Sunday School teacher, member of the committee for literature distribution—working with the other students, proving God's love, His care of me and others every day. Through the Bible and Science and Health I have learned more of the Love that heals. The textbook has given me the key to the Scriptures and enabled me to understand God and Jesus' teachings and to follow the right way of Life, eternal and harmonious.

I am grateful to the dear brother who persisted in giving me the textbook. His love for me changed my life completely. All has been restored many years. This happened twenty-one years ago. I can only send out deepest gratitude to God, our dear Father-Mother, and hope that my testimony will help someone who is struggling to find the way out of dreams of error.

(Mrs.) Elizabeth Downward
Glen Vine, Crosby, Isle of Man