I was a small child when I first heard the words Christian Science. My mother had just enrolled my brothers and me in a Christian Science Sunday School, and I still remember the feelings of peace and well-being that began there and remained with me throughout the years of my Sunday School training. Over the years my family and I have had many healings through prayer.

Though my husband is not a student of this Science, he has great respect for it and gave me his support in raising our two children in Christian Science. The children were cared for and healed as needs arose. Diseases commonly associated with childhood, if they appeared at all, were quickly healed. The Christian Science Journal of December 1967 relates a few of these healings. There have been many others since that time, as well as the lovely experience of Christian Science class instruction for me and a term served as Second Reader in my branch church.

Full reliance on Christian Science and trust in its power to heal require an understanding of man's unity with God. I had to learn and prove something of that a few years ago when a severe physical condition developed. An infection started on my head. It spread rapidly to my neck and face and was breaking out on other places of my body. I was having the prayerful assistance of a Christian Science practitioner. I was also being cared for at home by a Christian Science visiting nurse who came several times a week. However, it became evident that I could best be cared for in a nursing facility for Christian Scientists. My husband made arrangements for me to go.

On my arrival at the facility, I was met by an efficient and loving staff. The healing atmosphere soon calmed my fears, and with the daily help of a practitioner my thought was lifted from despair to expectancy of good. I was encouraged to turn from the material evidence to recognition and acceptance of God's healing power and ever-presence.

Miscellaneous Writings by Mary Baker Eddy states, "Self-renunciation of all that constitutes a so-called material man, and the acknowledgment and achievement of his spiritual identity as the child of God, is Science that opens the very flood-gates of heaven; whence good flows into every avenue of being, cleansing mortals of all uncleanness, destroying all suffering, and demonstrating the true image and likeness."

This statement was the basis of much prayerful thought. In the nature of my prayer, I could see that the belief that impurities could harm God's spiritual man had to be seen for the lie that it was, refuted, and destroyed. I needed to redirect thought into the Christian expression of confidence, love, and expectancy.

Each Sunday an introduction to the Bible Lesson is read in every Church of Christ, Scientist. A portion of that introduction, given in the Christian Science Quarterly, reads: "The canonical writings, together with the word of our textbook, corroborating and explaining the Bible texts in their spiritual import and application to all ages, past, present, and future, constitute a sermon undivorced from truth, uncontaminated and unfettered by human hypotheses, and divinely authorized." Though this statement is speaking of the lesson, I thought of its underlying truth as related to man's true state of spiritual being. The words uncontaminated and unfettered were frequent mental companions. I made copious notes about their spiritual connotations and how they related to me and my at-one-ment with Christ, Truth.

Before long, fear for my life abated, but there were times when fear appeared in another form. I began to be concerned about my appearance. I could not keep from wondering if my hair could possibly grow in again or whether my face would be restored to its normal appearance. However, this, too, was overcome as I stopped measuring my progress by the limited, human picture.

During my stay at the nursing home, the infection was brought under control and healed. All the abnormalities that had affected my head and an ear were healed. My hair grew in again, and my face resumed its normal appearance. In fact, many commented that I had come through the experience unscathed.

I gained a greater appreciation of this passage in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mrs. Eddy: "Consciousness constructs a better body when faith in matter has been conquered. Correct material belief by spiritual understanding, and Spirit will form you anew."

This healing has remained permanent. What I learned from it has made me even more grateful for Christian Science and for all that it has meant to me over many years. I am grateful for my loving friends and devoted husband and family, who encouraged me to remain strong and expectant of good, and for the wonderful care provided at the nursing facility.

Elizabeth Seaton
Chatham, New Jersey

I am Betty Seaton's husband and am pleased to verify that her healing took place just as she has stated. Although I am not a student of Christian Science, I know that our family has benefited from its teachings for many years.

James P. Seaton