Physical healing through Christian Science treatment means much to my family. Recently, while talking to relatives, my wife and I discovered that our two families began relying on Christian Science at about the same time—1908—and that in both families it was the complete and full recovery of a dying child that proved to them the worth of this Science.

One summer after I had been trimming a hedge, a rash from ivy poisoning developed on both arms. The rash intensified to the point where I could not move my arms freely or wear any clothing on them.

I then requested a Christian Science practitioner to pray for me. I knew that the problem had to be healed in thought. I also employed the local Christian Science visiting nurse to take care of my arms. She came to cleanse and bandage them, but, of course, no medication was given. Her refusal to be impressed by the ugly condition did much to bolster my courage. And because of the care given by her, I was left free to nurture my spiritual growth.

I prayed most of each day. It was a buoyant time, not at all a time of worry or burden. I never doubted full healing would come, and I welcomed the opportunity to develop a better understanding of God. Occasionally the practitioner visited me so that we could more fully discuss the spiritual truths I was learning.

The turning point came late one evening. I was reading Mrs. Eddy's answer to the question "What is man?" when I was inspired by this statement (Science and Health, p. 476): "God is the Principle of man, and man is the idea of God." Suddenly I saw the logic of this. Then in my prayer I substituted synonyms for God to gain a fuller appreciation of this truth. For example, I reasoned, "God is the Truth of man, and man is the idea of Truth. God is the Mind of man, and man is the idea of Mind." I pondered this, using all seven synonyms for God listed on page 465 of Science and Health. I also substituted further: "Spirit is the Principle of man, and man is the idea of Spirit," again using the synonyms. The truth regarding my real spiritual nature became so clear to me that I knew I was healed. This was confirmed by the rapid and complete clearing of the rash.

Another landmark was a healing of a hemorrhage condition that had lasted for some years. In Science and Health we read (p. 15), "Self-forgetfulness, purity, and affection are constant prayers." I had prayed about the condition of hemorrhaging for some time when a deeper sense of affection brought about the victory.

About two years before the healing, one day I had a talk with a relative who was going through a trying time. I felt a great rush of tender, supportive love for this relative. It was not pity that I felt but deep compassion. I noticed that following this enrichment of the heart, the hemorrhaging ceased for several months. Clearly, love was the answer, and I found that as I endeavored to love more fully, the hemorrhaging stopped completely. This healing took place over four years ago, and it has been permanent.

Both these healings were accomplished through spiritual means alone. I am deeply grateful for physical healings as well as for the tremendous spiritual growth that accompanies each one.

WILLIAM MARSHALL FABIAN
St. Louis, Missouri

I, too, am grateful for my husband's healings. His firm trust in and reliance on God despite the intensity of the rash helped me realize that a physical condition has no law to support it and can have no hold on God's man. The rapid and complete healing took place as stated. And since the healing of hemorrhaging, my husband's expression of Christian love for his fellowman has just blossomed.

I am very grateful for what Christian Science has shown us—how to live, how to heal, how to bless.

DEE ANN FABIAN