Many years ago my mother was taken to a hospital, seriously ill from an internal disorder. She was said to be dying by the physicians attending her—they told us she could not live the weekend. We knew she had some interest in Christian Science and decided to turn to this Science as a last resort. She was removed from the hospital, and we called a Christian Science practitioner to treat her through prayer. Improvement was soon noted, and later Mother was completely healed.

Because of this healing my wife and I began attending a branch Church of Christ, Scientist. We became members of that church, and later we joined The Mother Church. Christian Science class instruction furthered my spiritual understanding of the healing efficacy of this Science.

One morning recently, word came over the radio that fire had started in the brush a distance from our home. As the day went on, a strong wind developed, which brought this destructive fire in our direction.

In Science and Health Mrs. Eddy tells us (p. 293), "There is no vapid fury of mortal mind—expressed in earthquake, wind, wave, lightning, fire, bestial ferocity—and this so-called mind is self-destroyed." As I sat praying in my room I could see the glow and flare-ups from the fire. But I felt completely confident that the divine Mind is the only real Mind and that this Mind governs all with harmony and is all power.

Then I became aware of a strong flare-up only a block away. My son came in and said that the wind was blowing the fire toward us and that my wife and I should leave. As we walked out of the house, sparks were landing in the street in front of us. We drove to a friend's house some distance away, constantly reaffirming this statement (ibid., p. 228): "There is no power apart from God."

A few hours later my son phoned and said that the fire had passed by and that our house was not touched. Shortly after we left he had gone up to the roof. From there he saw the wind reverse direction and begin blowing the fire back toward the mountains. What an abundance of good has come to me through the study of this healing Science!

Recently a painful condition in my body was healed when I realized more fully that, in reality, I coexist with God. Since God is eternal, without beginning or end, my true life is perpetual—free of mortal beginning and end. The suggestion that matter is intelligent or real was denied vehemently, as Mrs. Eddy instructs us to do. I found this passage most helpful (ibid., p. 103): "As named in Christian Science, animal magnetism or hypnotism is the specific term for error, or mortal mind. It is the false belief that mind is in matter, and is both evil and good; that evil is as real as good and more powerful." The healing of the condition has been permanent.

I have much gratitude for The Mother Church and its activities throughout the world, including dedicated Christian Science practitioners and inspiring church services.

Thomas G. Richards
Pacific Palisades, California