Mary Baker Eddy, founder of the Christian Science movement, marked 1866 as the year she discovered scientific laws of spiritual being that Jesus practiced and taught in his Christian healing ministry.

She credited biblical truths for healing injuries she suffered in a serious accident that year. Eddy spent the rest of her life striving to communicate her discovery to others.

Eddy laid out her discovery in her book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," so that people could prove for themselves whether she had given them the correct interpretation of Scripture.

Two books published in 1966 commemorated Eddy's work. "Mary Baker Eddy — A Centennial Appreciation" cites her impact on theology, medicine and science and her achievements as preacher, lecturer, teacher, educator, author, healer and founder, not only of a worldwide religious denomination but of a college, and of daily, weekly and monthly publications.

The other book, "A Century of Christian Science Healing," presents a selection of testimonies from among thousands written by students of Eddy's writings. In these, people explain how they healed themselves in a variety of stressful circumstances. They detail how they prayed, listened and responded obediently — and were healed, rescued or saved.

One of these testimonials is my husband's account of an experience he had as a Navy pilot.

Ralph was raised in Christian Science by his parents, both of whom became Christian Scientists after his mother was healed of a life-threatening, institutionalizing disease. His mother sent him off to the Navy with this verse: "Fear thou not, for I am with thee ... I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness" (Isaiah 41:10). He prayed this every time he was in the cockpit waiting to take off.

One day he experienced a flameout. His jet engine quit at 25,000 feet. After two attempts to restart it and while quickly losing altitude, he felt impelled to turn away from the excited chatter from other pilots and shut off his radio.

Alone and quiet, he turned wholeheartedly to God in prayer. His thoughts and fears were quickly stilled; his courage, confidence and sense of being loved by God returned. God was upholding him. He tried once again, and this time — his last chance before he'd have to eject — the engine caught. And he was able to gain all the power and altitude needed to fly back to base safely.

The mechanic who checked the engine discovered the fuel pump had burned out and the standby had not been hooked up. He told Ralph the engine could not have relighted under those circumstances; and even if it had, there was no way he could have gained enough power to continuing flying the plane.

I have experienced similar "miracles" myself. They're not just biblical and ancient. And they're not as unusual as one might think.

J.B. Phillips says in his translation of the New Testament that the book of Acts should be called, Some Acts of Some Apostles. The history of the acts of apostles is still being written, daily and vividly.

On Jan. 31, Honolulu's Christian Science Church will celebrate a century here in Hawai'i — 100 years of systematic healing works worthy to be recorded in a text as a testimony for future generations. All who would like to participate in this joyous observance are warmly welcome to attend.

First Church of Christ, Scientist, 1508 Punahou St., will mark the centennial with a 10 a.m. service followed by tours of our historic building designed by famed Hawai'i architect Hart Wood. After a light lunch, we'll top off the afternoon with a performance by the Windward Choral Society. For information, call 949-8403.