"Thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?" (Ps. 56:13.) It sometimes happens that when an individual understands even a little of Christian Science and then, later, drifts from its teachings, an unpleasant circumstance revives his interest in Science. So it was with me.

It was my great privilege to attend a Christian Science Sunday School for just a few times as a teen-ager. All that I remember from those classes was memorizing "the scientific statement of being" from Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy (see p. 468). This has been "a lamp unto my feet" (Ps. 119:105) many times since.

During college and my early working years, I attended a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, spasmodically but did not study the weekly Bible Lessons found in the Christian Science Quarterly. Then the pressures of business and other obligations filled my time, and I gradually drifted completely away from the teachings of Science. Without quite realizing the significance of this laxity, I became more and more dependent on the medical profession. Finally, a doctor told me that I had a severe stomach disorder, gave me medicine for it, and put me on a strict diet, which I followed for one year. At the end of this time he told me that an immediate operation was imperative.

A few days after being told this, when I attempted to open the garage doors, which had frozen shut, I injured—perhaps broke—several ribs on my left side. This caused severe pain and made breathing extremely difficult. That day as I sat at my desk unable to do the work piled up there, it seemed I had reached the end of the road. But, as the familiar statement that Mrs. Eddy quotes in Science and Health says (p. 266), "man's extremity is God's opportunity." At this low moment an angel message came persistently: "Christian Science heals." In my extremity I was ready to listen to God, though still not completely convinced this would help. I said to myself, "All right, we'll see. This will be a test. If Christian Science can solve this problem, I will believe. But, like the disciple Thomas, I must be shown."

I immediately wrote to a friend who I knew was a lifelong and very devoted Christian Science student. I asked for help through prayer for the ribs but did not mention the stomach condition. The letter was mailed that day, and as I sat at my desk the next morning wondering how I could possibly finish my work in time to meet several deadlines, the most wonderful feeling came over me. I felt completely enveloped in God's dear love; there was a feeling of joy—of elation, of completeness, of uplifted thought, of singing—of a certain sense that God was right there and that all was well.

It was quite obvious that my letter had been received and that Christian Science treatment was being given. Two days later I was completely free of all pain and discomfort. And, even though I had not asked for help on the organic problem, about two weeks after this I suddenly realized that that condition surely had been healed too. This, indeed, proved to be true. These healings occurred over thirty years ago and have been permanent.

I will never cease being grateful for this experience, as it brought me back to Christian Science, the study of which has provided protection and guidance, meeting my every need. Since then God has indeed restored "the years that the locust hath eaten" (Joel 2:25). Christian Science has blessed me in many ways, and my gratitude is unbounded for Christ Jesus; for his follower Mary Baker Eddy; and for the Church she established. May the light of Truth as understood in Christian Science shine ever more brightly and reach every receptive heart!

MARJORIE L. ANKENY
Gravette, Arkansas