At a time when my father seemed beyond help, a friend invited him to attend a Christian Science lecture given in the small city where we lived. As a result, my father was healed of smoking, alcoholism, and many serious physical difficulties. The latter included stomach trouble, which had not allowed him to enjoy a meal. He gained thirty-five pounds in three weeks and was so improved that people who knew him hardly recognized him. He became a devoted student of Christian Science. I witnessed these healings, and they have been a great inspiration to me.

When I decided to begin the study of Christian Science, I also smoked and drank. These habits were healed over a period of time with the prayerful help of a Christian Science practitioner.

When I was three months pregnant with our first child, I started to miscarry. I called a practitioner, and the miscarriage stopped as a result of prayer. The practitioner referred me to a reference to children in Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy (see pp. 582–583). This helped to uplift my thought. The son who was born is now grown and has a family of his own.

When our second child was expected, I was told by the doctor who was to deliver the baby that the child was in a breech position and I would have a long and painful delivery. I informed the practitioner who was helping me through prayer. He urged me not to accept any discordant condition but to trust in God's love and control. The baby was delivered in twenty minutes.

There have been so many beautiful healings. One that meant a great deal to me was a healing of facial paralysis. I woke one morning a number of years ago with a frightening appearance. I stayed home from work and asked my husband to call a practitioner for prayerful help, which he did. He also stayed home and read to me from Science and Health. In a little more than a week, my face had returned to normal.

At one time it seemed wise for me to resign my position, which was very demanding, even though we had become accustomed to the income. Several months later my husband was promoted, and the increase in his salary matched the amount I had been earning almost to the dollar.

I could not express in words my love and gratitude for our Father-Mother, God, the Giver of all good; for Christ Jesus, our Way-shower; and for what the discovery of Christian Science by Mrs. Eddy has meant to our family

Mary G. Hansen
Black Mountain, North Carolina

My wife did not immediately embrace Christian Science after she had witnessed her father's healings. It was not until I became desperately ill with a stomach difficulty that she turned wholeheartedly to the study of Science. That was many years ago, and since that time she has relied on the practice and teachings of Christian Science in handling the diverse matters of day-to-day living. She has not taken medication of any kind, even during childbirth, which, by the way, was the only time she has been attended by a doctor since coming into this Science.

Our children were raised in Christian Science. Although they were protected from most diseases commonly associated with childhood, our son was healed of measles within twenty-four hours. Our daughter also had a quick healing of chicken pox.

While I am not a Christian Scientist, I am grateful to my wife for her love and support in helping me to overcome the smoking habit through prayer. I am confident that her prayerful work has also played a major role in my successes in the business world.

Lawrence Maynard Hansen