My very first opportunity to read the Christian Science textbook came through a friend. When I began to read this book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, I found all I needed to ensure my spiritual development. Before that time I had literally been overcome by a feeling of fear, but thanks to my understanding of divine Love's constant care and God's everpresence, this fear evaporated.

One day I had a sore throat, accompanied by rheumatism and the onset of malaria. I turned to God in prayer for guidance, to claim my spiritual innocence and purity and to feel His presence. I realized that I was governed by God and was always included in the harmony of His kingdom. I also knew that God's plan for each one of us was good and did not include sickness, and that nothing could hinder this plan from unfolding at that very moment. So it was my duty to let God guide my thoughts and actions. A few days later, the healing was complete and my health was fully recovered.

More recently I found myself in a very weak physical condition due to an intestinal infection accompanied by headaches and a high fever. Nevertheless, I went to the Christian Science Reading Room that Saturday as usual to fulfill my duties as librarian. As my condition grew worse, I turned to God in prayer to claim my divine heritage of health and freedom. Christian Science has taught me that when we pray we do not ask God to heal a specific part of the body. Rather we pray to realize that those qualities that constitute the substance of man created in God's image—harmony, holiness, health, purity, intelligence, humility, vitality, peace, and so forth—are manifested in us.

Also, I needed to understand that sickness was not real, but was nothing more or less than a temporal dream, nothingness. God did not create it, and it had nothing to do with my real self as His perfect, spotless image, exempt from any physical disorder. Science and Health says on this subject: "... evil is but an illusion. and it hasno real basis. Evil is a false belief. God is not its author. The supposititious parent of evil is a lie" (p. 480).

Although the pain persisted, and seemed more intense at times, deep down inside I felt that healing was certain.

Sunday morning, when I tried to get up, I felt overcome by weakness. Unable to stand on my feet, I wondered whether I could attend the church service. However, I drew comfort and support from knowing that I was not a vulnerable mortal separated from divine Love, but at that very moment I was actually living in my Father's spiritual kingdom. Affirming these spiritual facts enabled me to realize the invigorating presence of Spirit, God, in every aspect of my life, and to obey the spiritual intuition that was impelling me to go to church.

On my arrival at church, I learned that the regular Readers had not come, so a friend and I served as Readers. Everything went well, despite the way I was feeling. As I left church, I felt very much better, and two or three days later I was completely healed. This showed me how much God supports and helps His sons and daughters, and how dedication to His cause brings great blessings, including healing.

I am filled with gratitude to my Father-Mother God, who has raised me up from many troubles. I can say with the Psalmist, "Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God" (Ps. 146:5).

Moïse Bikaï Mabong
Edéa, Cameroon