Toward the end of college, I began losing interest in Christian Science, stopped studying the Bible Lesson regularly and stopped going to church on a regular basis. I went away to graduate school, and being away from home for virtually the first time, I began to think that I could live without church. I never really admitted to myself that I doubted the truths of Christian Science, but they seemed less and less relevant in the daily life I chose.

I met a young man whose family did quite a bit of drinking, and since I spent many weekends at their home, I, too, found myself drinking. Gradually my confidence in spiritual healing was eroded and I would succumb to his advice to take aspirin or other minor drug remedies. This phase continued for about two or three years. When the relationship with this man broke up, I found a few months later that many things were confused in my thought and I was beset with a very painful condition in my chest.

Fear and dissatisfaction, and a realization that something was lacking in my life, returned me to Christian Science. I began going to church again and I had the great joy of reading Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy consecutively for the first time. In this book she says (p. 66), "Trials are proofs of God's care." This was proved true in my case. Another statement from Science and Health that held my interest reads (p. 296): "Either here or hereafter, suffering or Science must destroy all illusions regarding life and mind, and regenerate material sense and self." Now this became a challenge I wanted to meet, rather than the threat of retribution it had seemed before.

In a very short time I had applied for Christian Science class instruction and had joined my hometown branch Church of Christ, Scientist. The painful chest condition was healed with the help of a Christian Science practitioner and has not bothered me since. I had several other beautiful healings too. I was instantaneously healed of a very painful back condition that appeared to me to be a slipped disk, when I opened The Christian Science Journal to an article that described harmony as a state precluding unalignment I was also healed of a very severe and prolonged condition of dizziness. The words from one of my favorite hymns in the Christian Science Hymnal helped to dispel fear of losing consciousness. They are: "In Thy Spirit living, moving,/We shall neither faint nor fall" (Hymn No. 58).

The most important thing that has resulted from my return to the study of this teaching is the joy that it has brought me. I now know that what I am learning daily of God and man in His likeness is the most important activity in my life. My other activities and my relationships with people bring me no lasting joy unless they are spiritually founded. I am turned back again and again to the truths of Science in everything I do.

I could never express in words my gratitude for Christian Science. Class instruction has been the most vital activity in my life. It continues to inspire me and help me grow. My love and deep appreciation for Christ Jesus and Mrs. Eddy, his faithful follower, are also a continued source of inspiration.

(Mrs.) Mary-Jo Wanzer Gross Long Beach, L. I., New York

I have always found the testimonies in The Christian Science Journal and the Christian Science Sentinel so helpful. It is with gratitude and joy that I relate a healing I had some years ago.

At the time, my husband and I were running a cafe entirely on our own. It was the August bank holiday, the busiest time of the year for us, and the weather was very hot. On Saturday one of my legs became very enlarged and inflamed from a bite of a poisonous insect. I was having difficulty keeping on my feet. I telephoned a Christian Science practitioner, and she kindly said she would give me treatment.

The Lesson-Sermon in the Christian Science Quarterly for that week included the Bible account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who were cast into a fiery furnace (see Dan., Chap. 3). I saw clearly that as their real identity could not be touched by the experience, neither could my real identity be touched.

During that Saturday I had to telephone the practitioner three times because of the suffering and inconvenience, but I had not the slightest doubt that I would be healed. By Monday there was improvement, and in a few days the healing was complete.

When my husband passed on, I was healed of grief through studying Mrs. Eddy's statement in Science and Health (p. 426): "Man is immortal, and the body cannot die, because matter has no life to surrender. The human concepts named matter, death, disease, sickness, and sin are all that can be destroyed."

At this time there were many business matters to be settled, and these were all worked out with the prayerful support of a practitioner. Properties were sold and a new home found which has met my needs.

Soon after World War II began it was necessary for me to have a medical examination before entering one of the armed services. I had to go to a hospital and tests were made. I was told by the doctor that I had diabetes and should report again to the hospital in a few days. In the meantime no medication was given and I asked a Christian Science practitioner for treatment. In a few days I returned to the hospital as required, where further tests were made. To the astonishment of the hospital staff they could find nothing wrong, and I was passed as fit to do service.

I have had other healings, some with the help of practitioners and others through my own understanding, including those of chilblains, lumbago, colds, and scalds.

Christian Science has helped me in so many ways. For this I am sincerely grateful, and I am grateful for the practitioners everywhere and the healing work they do.

It is a privilege to be a member of The Mother Church and to be an active member in a branch church.

(Mrs.) Margaret D. Colley
St. Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, England