In Hymn No. 40 of the Christian Science Hymnal we read, "Earth has no sorrow but Love can remove." I can gratefully and joyfully confirm the truth of these words.

Following my release as a prisoner of war at the end of 1945, I had to struggle with a number of physical disorders, including angina pectoris. In 1950 a malignant ulcer was found on my tongue. I was told by medical doctors that there was little prospect of a healing. I underwent very painful medical treatments without any improvement or even hope of improvement.

In this bleak situation Christian Science was offered to me. I thought I would certainly try it, to see whether this religion actually healed. The condition did not yield at once, and much prayer by a Christian Science practitioner was needed. But after about a year our prayers won out. Truth was the victor, and I was well. When the doctors who had treated me before heard I was well, they declared that a miracle had taken place.

The extent to which the medical diagnosis had been credited, and my condition was judged to be hopeless, is shown in the fact that I had been declared disabled at forty-one years of age. It was a great joy for my wife and me when I received notification that the pension payments would be discontinued, since such an improvement in my health had come about that I could no longer be regarded as disabled.

Also, I was healed eight years ago of a hernia through the prayer of a Christian Science practitioner and my own efforts, without having to interrupt my work. I might mention here that I have always had to perform heavy physical work.

Fear of an uncertain future was also overcome and replaced with the spiritual conviction that God gives only good. In Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy we read (p. 261), "Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts." I can now lead a joyful life and know that in every situation my loved ones and I are secure in the arms of divine Love.

The speech impediments, caused by the illness, have been completely removed, and I have the joy to serve as Second Reader for a group of Christian Scientists.

With my whole heart I thank God for Christ Jesus and for Mrs. Eddy. I am deeply grateful for the revelation of Truth, which, when rightly recognized, casts out all evil.

Emil Ost
Eislingen, Federal Republic of Germany

Some years ago a friend took me to visit a Christian Science practitioner. I had been having many problems, and my friend thought I could be helped. While the practitioner was speaking, I was smoking one cigarette after another. I didn't understand all of what she said, but I felt a peace I had never known before. Many visits to her office followed. Through her prayerful help I began to have healings. She gave me Miscellaneous Writings by Mary Baker Eddy. It was full of inspiration for me. I wanted to learn more of Christian Science. I went to a Reading Room, where I purchased a copy of Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy and also the King James Version of the Bible.

The practitioner gave me passages to read from these two textbooks. One of my first healings was of sinus trouble, a chronic illness of many years. Physicians had suggested an operation to relieve the suffering. I never had the operation. The healings in Christian Science were wonderful, but even greater were the joy and peace I was receiving from my study. I started to read daily the Bible Lesson in the Christian Science Quarterly. The testimonies I heard, which were given during the Wednesday evening meetings, were very encouraging. I found many questions answered at Christian Science lectures. The Sentinel helped me to apply to my daily life what I read in the Bible Lesson. My household began to take on a more harmonious atmosphere. My husband and three children were receiving the benefit of my study and application of Science.

In those earlier years, before I had become a church member, I pondered the first sentence of this definition from Science and Health (p. 583): "Church. The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle." I felt the healing power of the Christ, Truth, and was learning the difference between human love and the purity of divine Love. I thought I was getting the full blessings of Church without joining the organization.

One day I spoke of my gratitude to a practitioner. She told me if I would drop the cigarette I was smoking I would be ready for church membership. I answered, "Really? I thought you had to be an angel to join the Christian Science church." She explained I was depending wholly on Christian Science for physical healings as well as other healings, studying the lesson daily, attending church services. She felt I was ready for church membership. I realized then that Christian Science had done so much for me, and asked myself, "What have you done to show your appreciation?" The desire came to serve in the church. The word "reciprocation" was a flash of inspiration. In that moment I was healed of the cigarette habit. I accepted this beautiful healing and joined The Mother Church and a branch church. What a joy to serve on the different committees. A whole new world opened for me where friends talked the language of Spirit.

The second paragraph of the definition of "Church" reads: "The Church is that institution, which affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race, rousing the dormant understanding from material beliefs to the apprehension of spiritual ideas and the demonstration of divine Science, thereby casting out devils, or error, and healing the sick." I could see that the "rousing" had to be in my own consciousness and the organization of the church was helping me. This was the beginning of healings in human relationships. I learned to stop being so busy casting out error in others, both outside the organization of the church and within, and to begin casting it out of myself.

Where do we find the opportunity to put into practice the precepts given to us in the Bible and in Mrs. Eddy's writings? We find it in the organization of the Church of Christ, Scientist, where our Leader invites each individual to learn scientifically pure Christianity, including the healing power of the Christ.

(Mrs.) Jeanne G. Frucht
Los Angeles, California