The conviction that God is all-power and that matter is really nothing—indeed, nonexistent—unfolds a little at a time through study, prayer, and practice of Christian Science. This conviction began in my life with a healing I had at the age of six. My mother, a longtime Christian Scientist, entered me in the Sunday School at age three when I was already eager to attend. There I learned the simple truths that God is Life and Love, and of the power of God that heals. I was told I was God's child.

After falling from a high place I became very ill. My father, who was not a Christian Scientist, asked that a doctor be called in to examine me. The case was diagnosed as blood poisoning, and the physician urged my parents to hospitalize me or he wouldn't be responsible for my survival. It was then and there that I refused any medical help and said I wanted only God's help. Mother prevailed upon Dad to let her call a Christian Science practitioner to treat me through prayer.

One day I reached a crisis. I was delirious with a high fever. My father was very fearful and insisted that something different be done. Large boils were on my body, and one in particular was the most troublesome. He prepared some hot, wet cloths to apply to the boil. He was inches away from it with the application when the boil opened and drained. I quickly regained consciousness. The mesmerism was broken. After that, it was healing all the way. Sometime later, the same doctor stopped at our home to inquire about me and was surprised to learn that I was alive and well.

The high fever had caused a total loss of hair, but I soon grew a thicker and better crop than before and was stronger and in better health. Although I had missed school, my sister was given permission to teach me during the summer months. I joined my class in the fall without any setback.

Since then I have had many proofs of God's healing power and presence. Most of all, I have been extremely grateful for His guidance, wisdom, and protection in daily affairs. Mrs. Eddy established the Bible Lesson in the Christian Science Quarterly, and she designated the Bible together with the textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, which she wrote, as our only preachers. Study of these books helps us daily, even hourly, lift our thought above human discord to realize man's perfect unity with God. She says (Science and Health, p. vii), "To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, to-day is big with blessings." This, to me, is the keynote and basis upon which each day unfolds.

As my husband and I met under rather unusual circumstances, I have always felt that God placed us in the right place at the right time. He had never heard of Christian Science before, but after attending several church services and Christian Science lectures with me, he started to study Science and Health. After we married, he joined The Mother Church and the branch church where I was a member. Mrs. Eddy's statement (ibid., p. 60), "Kindred tastes, motives, and aspirations are necessary to the formation of a happy and permanent companionship," has proved to be the blessing that has welded our marriage.

In Proverbs we read (10:22), "The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it." This accurately expresses our feelings in regard to the joy of raising our daughter with the ever-constant help of Christian Science. Christian Science treatment was sought many times during my pregnancy, as I seemed to be having a difficult time. At three months, there were all of the symptoms of labor. With the prayerful help of a practitioner, this was stopped. I was shown that when we begin to realize that creation is already complete in infinite Mind, God, we can be assured there is no other mind that can miscarry or lose the divine idea. There is no false belief that can bring about a miscarriage or loss of Mind's activity and control; therefore, all is well in Mind.

At seven months, labor started, and again this was stopped through prayer. I was able to go full-term without any further complications. The day before our daughter's arrival (she arrived on Thanksgiving Day) Hymn No. 342 in the Christian Science Hymnal was constantly with me. The first lines read:

All physical problems as well as any other challenges during our daughter's childhood were taken up prayerfully and solved without resorting to medical or other material means.

Church membership has been an opportunity for spiritual growth, teaching me to listen more intently for God's direction. Increased humbleness, patience, tolerance, obedience, and love for the Cause of Christian Science are some of the benefits gained. I am deeply grateful for the dedicated work of practitioners and for class instruction.

Daily I pray that the whole world recognize and feel the healing effects of Christian Science, which is being practiced worldwide by consecrated students of this Science. I sincerely appreciate the fact that Mrs. Eddy established our church on the firm, changeless foundation of divine Principle, Love.

(Mrs.) June A. Schwan
New Berlin, Wisconsin

I gratefully verify the healing that took place during my wife's pregnancy and the effectiveness of prayer in raising our daughter. I now enjoy the blessings of Mother Church and branch church membership, because of my wife's and my meeting, and I am daily more grateful for the changes this has brought to my thought and life.

Robert W. Schwan