CSEC LIBRARY -- A Healing Experience

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Extract from
A Healing Experience
HARRIET O'BRIEN

   . . . One day, in company with some new found friends, Red Rock at Lynn was visited. We carried along some books, expecting to have a quiet time for reading and meditation, but instead I found myself leaping over the rocks with great joy, drinking in the inspiring scene with childlike freedom. Then I became absorbed with the dashing spray of the incoming tide as it spent itself against the rocks, its activity increased by a brisk sea breeze. The deep blue of the sea engaged my attention until, forgetting all else, thought turned backward to the centuries those rocks had withstood the beating of the waves and remained unmoved. Regardless of the ceaseless surging of the sea, their strength and permanence had been secure. Then rocks, shore, wind, and waves became mental concepts, and these words of Mrs. Eddy's hymn (Poems, p. 12) were illumined with new meaning: —

Thus Truth engrounds me on the rock,
   Upon Life's shore,
'Gainst which the winds and waves can shock,
   Oh, nevermore!

A casual observer might have believed me charmed with the view, but to myself I was like the lame man leaping as an hart, singing a song without words until these of our loved Leader came to mind.

   When in the vicinity of Chestnut Hill one day, it was my great privilege to meet Mrs. Eddy on her drive. As the carriage approached it moved slowly, and as it rounded the corner where I stood it drew very near. We looked into each other's eyes for a moment, while her face was illumined with a wondrous smile, and I realized I was in the presence of the noble woman whose teachings had restored me to life and health. These words then came to me as distinctly as though they were spoken: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." This Scripture repeated itself to me the second and third time, every word clearly, as the carriage rolled slowly down the street. Then it was I understood why Mary Magdalene had wept when she felt the marvelous purity of Christ Jesus' presence. . . .

Extract from "A Healing Experience" by Harriet O'Brien
Christian Science Sentinel, April 27, 1918

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