I first heard of Christian Science in 1923, in Egypt, where my family had taken refuge after the revolution in Russia. My life style had become very restricted. My mother and I had found work, and we shared a small room in a pension. Fortunately, we both knew English. I had parted with all formal religion. But I held on hard to the Lord's Prayer, "the prayer of Soul," as Mrs. Eddy calls it in the textbook, Science and Health (p. 14): "The Lord's Prayer is the prayer of Soul, not of material sense."

I met an Englishman and his sister, who had been brought up in Christian Science. They introduced me to this teaching. The Christian Science textbook was lent to me, and I endeavored to understand it. There ensued a sharp struggle with intellectual pride.

Only when humility entered my heart and I prayed, "Father, show me if this is true, and show me if it is not," was I able to grasp some of the spiritual truths the book contained. But presently my eyes were opened, and the light of Truth poured in, as streams of water over parched land.

Over the next months I read and reread the textbook. I also made close friends with the young man and his sister who had given me the book. In fact, the young man became my husband. Later he gave up the work he was engaged in, and we left Cairo and settled in England.

After we both had had Christian Science class instruction, which was of the greatest benefit, I joined a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, and soon after became a member of The Mother Church. My husband was already a member; we were both very active in church work. In 1935 we paid our first visit to Boston and to The Mother Church, and we were deeply impressed by the love expressed to us.

Later I entered a period of stress and was suddenly assailed by symptoms of a nervous breakdown. The condition was severe and prolonged. Although I struggled to rise above it, at one point I felt I was passing on. The devoted Christian Science practitioner who was helping me at the time answered my miserable and depressed plea for help over the telephone by saying quietly, "Listen to me. This will do you good." This statement was arresting, and I listened. He went on to quote from Science and Health (p. 381): "The so-called laws of mortal belief are destroyed by the understanding that Soul is immortal, and that mortal mind cannot legislate the times, periods, and types of disease, with which mortals die." I was instantly healed of the fear of death. After that my recovery began, although it was many years before I could say, "I am fully healed."

One of the things that kept me going all that time was the recollection of our joyful and enriching visit to Boston. During the Second World War, I was able to take part in war work. Later I led a normal life, driving a car on my own and taking up business appointments. I resumed church activity. Throughout the period of difficult years my husband cared for me with patience and devotion, and his family and friends were especially kind.

When my husband retired after twenty-five years of social work, we settled in Surrey, where we both joined an active branch church, which we loved, and where I am still a member. Eventually I was elected for a term as Second Reader, a great privilege. I also served as Reading Room librarian and enjoyed this work in the community very much.

I am most grateful to have attended an Annual Meeting of The Mother Church, and for several subsequent visits to Boston, one quite recently. I find these visits refreshing and invigorating.

Now I am an octogenarian and a widow, still active in church work. I drive a car. I love the Bible, and I love our dear Leader, Mrs. Eddy. My gratitude is great for the gift of Christian Science. Loyalty to the Church of Christ, Scientist, and obedience to the Manual of The Mother Church by Mrs. Eddy are essential parts of being a Christian Scientist. I am grateful for the many healings experienced by our family over the years, some with the help of a consecrated practitioner, others through our own work in Christian Science. "As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness" (Ps. 17:15).

MARY CARTER
Weybridge, Surrey, England

I am happy to corroborate my sister-in-law's testimony. Looking back on my early acquaintance with her, I recall some of the harsh experiences she encountered. Yet she faced them with fortitude and faith in God, which prepared her to accept wholeheartedly the unvarnished truths of Christian Science when they were presented to her.

This acceptance of divine Science stood her in good stead at the time of the nervous breakdown mentioned. She told me afterward that in the darkest hours of this testing time, the memory of her earlier visit to The Mother Church was a beacon light to her, reminding her of the love shown to her on that occasion, and the gratitude and loyalty to the spiritual idea of Church demanded of her in return. (See Science and Health 583: 12-19.)

My sister-in-law eventually made a complete and permanent recovery. Through the many years since that healing, her acceptance of Christian Science through good times and bad and her allegiance to its teachings have remained unswerving.

ENID CARTER
Bath, Avon, England