Christian Science came into my life at a time of great need. I lived in a small town where I was known as the walking skeleton. Finally my husband became so alarmed that he took me to an adjoining town to see a doctor. The doctor told me I had an inward goiter. He said I would require an operation, but that he could not undertake it. A specialist would have to be brought in from a city some distance away. I was in despair, for I had two small children; times were hard, and we could not afford the expense.

A newcomer to our town came to me and told me I could be healed by the power of God, understood in Christian Science. I was desperate, and she was most kind, so I started to read with her the Bible Lesson in the Christian Science Quarterly. We met once a week. These visits became a great source of joy to me. My thought turned from despair to hope, and in a few months I was perfectly well. I was on the mountaintop of joy!

Several years later I was afflicted as the woman in the Bible (see Luke 8:43-48). I thought it was something I would have to endure. I was active in an organization of rural women and was asked to attend a meeting in another province, but I felt I could not go for I was hemorrhaging. My dear friend offered to pray for me and firmly insisted that I get ready and take the trip. I was encouraged to go, and by the time I arrived at my destination I was perfectly well. The condition never returned.

Several years ago my finger was caught in the door of my car. A dear friend who was with me stood at my side quietly voicing the truth of God's allness. Mrs. Eddy states in Science and Health (p. 424), "Accidents are unknown to God, or immortal Mind, and we must leave the mortal basis of belief and unite with the one Mind, in order to change the notion of chance to the proper sense of God's unerring direction and thus bring out harmony." The pain was intense, but after a few minutes it ceased, and I joined the others at the meeting of our group studying The Christian Science Monitor. My hostess wrapped my hand, and I held it in my lap covered with a handkerchief. I felt the torn flesh going back into place as I sat and took my turn at reading. I drove home, washed and wrapped the finger, and went to church that night.

I continued my regular duties but studied Mrs. Eddy's reference to Jesus in the tomb (Science and Health, p. 44): "He did not require the skill of a surgeon to heal the torn palms and bind up the wounded side and lacerated feet, that he might use those hands to remove the napkin and winding-sheet, and that he might employ his feet as before.

"Could it be called supernatural for the God of nature to sustain Jesus in his proof of man's truly derived power?"

There was no resentment in my thought, just a quiet assurance of God's healing power; and the finger healed without stitches or splints.

These are only a few of the many healings I have had. I am so grateful for Christian Science and for our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy, who toiled for years to give us the wonderful insight into the healing power of God and Christ Jesus' mission to the world.

My every need has been met, sometimes by my own prayers. I have been faced with challenges to assume positions for which I did not feel prepared, but with God's help I have overcome error's claims of inadequacy. I have been strengthened by the inspiration of our great Way-shower, Christ Jesus, who said (John 5:30), "I can of mine own self do nothing," and of Paul, who said (Phil. 2:13), "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."

(Mrs.) Stella E. Welch
West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada