I first learned of Christian Science from a young man, many years ago. As we became better acquainted, and I learned more about the teachings of the religion, I found it appealed to me and answered many questions. In time he and I were married, and both became members of The Mother Church and a branch church. Our daughter grew up attending Sunday School and has continued to be a student of Christian Science.

Practicing Christian Science has been a great help to our family, and we have had many healing proofs of God's care. The following is one that has brought me much joy. For some time I had been having discomfort both when walking and sitting. I was aware that internal organs were out of place.

I began to pray to be healed, and gained much inspiration from my own study, and also from the help of a practitioner. This passage particularly alerted me to the spiritual foundation of my existence: "Life is inorganic, infinite Spirit; if Life, or Spirit, were organic, disorganization would destroy Spirit and annihilate man.

"If Mind is not substance, form, and tangibility, God is substanceless; for the substance of Spirit is divine Mind. Life is God, the only creator, and Life is immortal Mind, not matter" (Miscellaneous Writings by Mrs. Eddy, p. 56).

I was not healed at this point, however.

After I took up residence in another country, the condition worsened and I sought the help of another practitioner. We prayed together and spoke frequently over a period of months, endeavoring to spiritualize and purify my thought. At times it was difficult to cope with this problem, but I was always able to function, no doubt owing in part to the steadfastness of that practitioner.

At one point we were discussing the concept of placement from a spiritual point of view. One of the related passages I studied from Science and Health was "Adhesion, cohesion, and attraction are properties of Mind. They belong to divine Principle, and support the equipoise of that thought-force, which launched the earth in its orbit and said to the proud wave, 'Thus far and no farther'" (p. 124). One day, after thinking through this passage, I saw very clearly that it tells us nothing can be out of place in God's creation.

Soon afterward I realized an adjustment was taking place inside my body. It was as if the prolapsed organ was being gently moved back into proper position, over a period of two to three days. This occurred early in 1993, and the healing has been permanent.

My testimony would not be complete without expressing sincere thanks for the Christian Science Quarterly—Bible Lessons, and the daily support they provide. We are all indeed much blessed.

Elizabeth Swainson
Glen Iris, Victoria, Australia

The Mother Church is The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts. Its branches are called Churches of Christ, Scientist, and Christian Science Societies.