How wonderfully Christian Science has changed my life! It has revealed to me the nature of our dear Father-Mother God, and my identity as His idea. The truths found in the Holy Bible and in Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy have delivered me from a painful existence that included a sense of lack, as well as the use of cigarettes and alcohol. Since learning about Science, my family and I have also been freed from many sicknesses and other kinds of discord.

When our eldest daughter was two years old, I was not affiliated with a religion. However, I knew our child needed a spiritual education. At the time I was working as a registered nurse. I enjoyed reading about the many religions in the world; and I was keenly aware of the development of other people's lives and the variety of paths one could choose to take.

Then I met a peaceful, happy individual who was especially kind. She seemed different from anyone I'd ever met before. She also expressed the qualities of joy and hopefulness, and I knew I wanted to be like her as I matured. Finally I asked what made her so different from other people. She told me that it was Christian Science which helped her. The next Sunday I was her guest at her branch church. For the next three years I attended the church and always made sure that my daughter went to the Sunday School. The lovingkindness we found there was just what we needed.

God's care became evident in my life. My jobs changed; each one took me further from the medical profession. A new line of work opened up that still brings fulfillment and prosperity, and I lean on God's guidance every day. Our second daughter was born easily and painlessly. I attribute the effortlessness of this birth to the preparation I received through drinking in the spiritual truths read each Sunday in church. (I had not yet begun to study Science.)

By the time our second child was almost a year old, I could hardly bear to smoke. But still the habit remained. I felt this way of seeking satisfaction separated me from the Christ I was truly seeking. Previously, I had tried to stop through every material means.

My search for freedom led me to the quietude of a Christian Science Reading Room. It was my first visit to a Reading Room. Here I was enveloped in an atmosphere of love. I was shown the King James Version of the Bible, and also introduced to the Christian Science periodicals, several articles in particular. I went away singing and soaring with a faith that Science could indeed heal me. That same day another friend gave me a copy of The Christian Science Journal and showed me the listing of Christian Science practitioners.

Now I gathered all my courage and called a practitioner. Although I had attended the branch church for over three years, I had not yet opened Science and Health. I had continued to think of myself as a sinner, unworthy to study a religion. But this dedicated woman calmed the fear, assured me that healing was imminent, and instructed me to read Science and Health from cover to cover.

I started reading the book immediately, but at first it didn't make much sense. I turned to the Bible to see how Christ Jesus had healed, and this was helpful. One statement from Science and Health I read daily (p. 405): "The good man finally can overcome his fear of sin. This is sin's necessity,—to destroy itself. Immortal man demonstrates the government of God, good, in which is no power to sin." Slowly I began to understand that Truth was destroying the misconceptions in thought, and that God was governing everything.

One evening when the family was out, I felt divine Mind's perfect presence illuminating my entire being. For the first time, I prayed sincerely, effortlessly. Then, because I felt God was guiding me to, I took up Science and Health and read it, praying and rejoicing until early in the morning. Yet I was invigorated, not weary. The Most High had revealed Himself to me through Christian Science!

Soon after that, the desire to smoke cigarettes left as did all appetite for alcohol. I felt completely free! I still retain the sense of freedom, joy, and wonder at God's power that the healing of these habits has brought me. Now when I become discouraged or hard pressed in my study of Science, I think of this marvelous healing and know that God is truly an ever-present help. My heart sings with gratitude for Mrs. Eddy, who so completely yielded to the one Mind that we might realize, through her book, Science and Health, how blessed we really are.

AMY McKINLEY SHEESLEY
Ramey, Puerto Rico