In spite of early prejudice, I began to investigate the subject of Christian Science over sixty years ago. Through the advice of Christian Science friends I bought the textbook, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, determined to read it through during the summer vacation. This I did three times. The first two times I understood very little, although I was impressed with the logic. During these first two readings I marked some places I thought were unreasonable. On the third reading I wondered why I had considered them absurd. My prejudice was gradually being broken down. After reading two biographies of Mrs. Eddy I began to appreciate her lifework and be grateful for her wonderful discovery.

But what impressed me most was that I had to admit I was being benefited physically. I first realized this when I was given some Sentinels to read on a train trip. I always dreaded any kind of a trip because it caused nausea. This time I read the Sentinels all the way and felt better on arriving than when I started.

When I took a position where I was to remain many years, I began attending the branch Church of Christ, Scientist, and found helpful Christian Science friends.

During these years I had many physical healings. The spring season of the year was always made miserable for me by hay fever. Many remedies were tried but to no avail. Now no distress interferes with my enjoyment of the beauty and fragrance of growing things. "The floral apostles are hieroglyphs of Deity" (Science and Health, p. 240). On page 175 of this same book, Mrs. Eddy says, "It is profane to fancy that the perfume of clover and the breath of new-mown hay can cause glandular inflammation, sneezing, and nasal pangs."

Another great relief came to me when I was finally healed of sick headaches. Many a festive occasion was spoiled for me because of this tendency to have a sick headache in times of stress or excitement. Many times I was healed when I asked a practitioner for help, but the headaches would recur. Finally I noticed that they occurred less frequently. Now it is many years since I suffered from that difficulty. I am grateful for the relief but more grateful for the unmistakable evidence that improved mental conditions result in physical healing. Although I thought I had weak ankles, and had many sprains (and several instantaneous healings), that fancied weakness has all been corrected. Since learning of Christian Science I have taken no drugs or relied on any so-called health rules such as diet, exercise, and vitamins. In spite of being over ninety years of age, I enjoy remarkably good health and normal activity.

A recent beautiful healing strengthened my understanding that it is important to take a radical stand for Truth when confronted with a problem. While on a trip with our son, I fell from a porch five feet high onto the pavement, striking my head, breaking my glasses and my nose, and cutting a deep gash the length of my nose. The bleeding was profuse. Some bystanders, in spite of my protest, ordered an ambulance. The attendants bandaged me enough so that I could return in our son's car to the retirement home where my husband and I live. My son took me at once to the infirmary of the home, but the nurses refused to do anything for me, saying I must go to the hospital for X rays and stitches. This I refused to do, and instead secured the services of a Christian Science practitioner and stayed in my apartment. This resulted in a confrontation with the management because the infirmary refused to order my tray service for meals. But, encouraged by the practitioner, I stuck it out a few days until we straightened it out with the management on a legal basis.

Meanwhile our daughter came every day to change the bandages and attend to my other needs. No medication of any kind was applied. 1 his daughter and the son who saw the accident, although they are not Christian Scientists, were greatly impressed by the perfect healing which soon followed, and they gave all credit to Christian Science. Not a mark or scar remains to show what was supposed to result in terrible disfigurement. "Take your stand, the practitioner had said. I did, and the final result was perfect healing and a great sense of love felt by everyone involved, including the nurses and doctor in the infirmary.

Besides being grateful for the physical benefits I derive from the truth, I am grateful for financial abundance, wonderful adjustments in problems of personal relationships, and moral regeneration. In fact, Science has transformed my life.

I might add that I have been blessed by the companionship of my precious husband who, through reliance on Christian Science is enjoying remarkable health and activity, although he is over one hundred years of age.

(Mrs.) Greta Phillips Hiatt Coomler
Salem, Oregon

I am grateful to share a healing experience which came through spiritual means alone, proving in part the demonstrable truths given in the Bible and spiritually interpreted in the textbook, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy.

One day while I was traveling from my hometown to the place of my employment, a journey of some sixty miles, my car skidded and somersaulted from the main road, on which I was traveling, to a lower byroad, a drop of some twenty feet. A passing motorist gave me help, phoned my employers, who are students of Christian Science, and, at my request, phoned a Christian Science practitioner. Soon I was feeling a sense of powerful, loving, healing support, which, no doubt, was substantially contributed to by my employers as well as the practitioner. I was also very much supported in remembering some of the spiritual truths read to us at the branch church business meeting of the previous day.

The practitioner, who was quickly at my side, immediately phoned his wife, who in turn prepared a bedroom for me in their lovely home. I was well cared for there until such time as I was able to travel home. I shall always be grateful for this tangible evidence of their love.

The practitioner said very little to me, and afterward informed me that he was working strictly according to the guidance given in the textbook on page 411: "Always begin your treatment by allaying the fear of patients. Silently reassure them as to their exemption from disease and danger. Watch the result of this simple rule of Christian Science, and you will find that it alleviates the symptoms of every disease." The word "silently seemed to be the operative word. Within a few days the healing was complete, for there were no lingering traces of physical or mental harm.

Many other lovely things fill my heart with joy relating to this incident. No other drivers were involved. My employers were able to fill my place satisfactorily during my temporary absence. And through the immediate settlement of my claim by the insurance company, I was able to have another car. I am now using it without any sense of fear, and I am very happy to be in useful service again.

I am grateful for our practitioners, who are always ready to help with their prayerful work in time of need; for membership in The Mother Church, with its wide, loving, encircling arms; for membership in a branch church and all the lovely fellowship offered there.

(Miss) Dorothy Hind
Liverpool, Lancashire, England