As a new student of Christian Science, I had two instantaneous healings—one of the smoking habit and the other of social drinking. This statement in Miscellaneous Writings by Mrs. Eddy exactly describes my situation prior to my healings (p. 235): "Hungering and thirsting after a better life, we shall have it, and become Christian Scientists; learn God aright, and know something of the ideal man, the real man, harmonious and eternal."

I really was "hungering and thirsting after a better life." I had been married only a short time to a Christian Scientist, and although I had not been an adherent of my former religion, I was being drawn to this new way of life.

At one point I very much wanted to know more about Christian Science, so I made an appointment to talk with a Christian Science practitioner whom my husband knew. I drove out to her home one evening and had at least one cigarette on the way. We had a very fruitful talk, during which the subject of smoking came up. She pointed out that the smoking habit was not part of my real nature as God's perfect child and therefore it could have no power over me or attraction for me. I saw so clearly that this was the truth of my being, that the desire to smoke completely fell away in that moment! I had caught a beautiful glimpse of my pure spiritual selfhood as God's image, unencumbered by an enslaving habit.

During the same visit I was also released from the desire for social drinking, something I hadn't even mentioned to the practitioner! But from that moment on I have not had the slightest desire to engage in either of these habits. These healings cleared the way for me to eventually apply for membership in The Mother Church, a step I had very much desired to take.

When we turn understanding and completely to God, "hungering and thirsting" to know Him better, we are receptive to His truth, which enlightens consciousness and casts out everything that is unlike Him. In Science and Health Mrs. Eddy states (p. 2): "Are we benefited by praying? Yes, the desire which goes forth hungering after righteousness is blessed of our Father, and it does not return unto us void."

Another healing experience came a few years later and was a proof of the immediate power and presence of God. The Bible declares (Isa. 59:1): "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear."

My father and I were on vacation at one of the large lakes in New Hampshire and had rented a small rowboat to go fishing. We had had experience in handling boats and knew how to move about in them carefully. As we were not planning to go swimming, we were fully clothed. After dropping anchor and fishing for some time, we evidently both moved at the same time, tipping the boat over so suddenly that we were unprepared for the sudden plunge into the water, and it choked us.

As we clung to the overturned boat I immediately turned to God, knowing that He "is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Ps. 46:1). I found it natural to turn to our Father-Mother God, knowing that we were both in His presence, upheld by His tender care at all times. I felt no fear, since trusting in God dispels fear, and one cannot both fear and trust at the same time! My first concern was for my father, who was of senior years. However, he too had great faith in God, and I knew he was trusting in His care also.

It was at that point that I saw a motorboat cruising along on the other side of the inlet. As my lungs had cleared a little, I raised my arm and called out. The boat immediately swung off its course and came over to us. The people kindly helped us into their boat and took us back to the dock from which we had started earlier. They declined to take anything from us for their help and commented that they lived several miles up the main part of the lake and had never come into that inlet before.

My heart was filled with gratitude for this proof that God's beloved children are never for an instant outside His care. My father and I were fine. Our boat was soon recovered by the owner. He withdrew it from his selection of rental boats as he realized it was unsafe because it had sharply sloping sides that made it tip over easily.

My gratitude to God for Christian Science is unbounded. Through her life dedicated to God and her book Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy has shown us how to follow the teachings of the master Christian, Christ Jesus.

DOROTHEA O. CROOKER
Wellesley, Massachusetts