Letters & Conversations

When a small child I used to go into a dark closet and pray. I attended revivals, hoping to attain the change of heart they talked of; I have gone forward and given my hand to the minister, asking for the prayers of the church, but I was not satisfied.

I will say that before coming into the understanding of Science, I was not whole in any part. I had toothache almost continuously from my childhood; spells of neuralgia lasting a week or two, about every three or four months, for many years; dyspepsia that seemed to impede the action of the heart, causing excruciating pains, but the worst of all was the belief of kidney complaint, running for a period of twenty-five years, until it had reached Bright s disease in its most aggravated stage.

I was raised by as good a Christian mother as a boy ever had. I was taught to believe the Bible fully, and did believe it, in my limited understanding of it, until I found myself drifting about the world and coming in contact with many representatives of different religious sects.

Through Christian Science God has bestowed great blessings upon me. I had suffered for many years, and in January, 1896, I went to a surgeon who, after an examination, told me that my only help was an immediate operation.

The first time Christian Science was brought to our notice was four years ago this coming summer. On our return from a visit to my brother and his family who live in a neighboring city, my wife asked me if I knew that Anna (my brother's wife) was a Christian Scientist.

About a year ago last August I was introduced to a gentleman on the train, going from Burlington to Rutland, Vt. After speaking of casual things, the gentleman suddenly made a motion indicating pain, saying that he was suffering from dyspepsia, that he had tried everything, was taking medicine, was under a doctor's care, and could not get relief.

Christian Science was sought by me for the physical healing, as I had been a great sufferer for twelve years, and had become a physical wreck through disease, and a slave to materia medica. About ten months before I went to see my healer and teacher, two of the most reputable M.

For six years I was a sufferer, spending the greater part of my time in bed, never free from pain day or night, brought on through childbirth. I fought desperately for life, as I had small children and felt I could not leave them without a mother.

Dear Journal: —I desire to mention a few of the demonstrations that have been made since coming to this place three years ago. Error has many times screamed loud and long, has tried to drive us out, and failing, has even solicited us to leave.

Salt Lake City, Dec. 15, 1808.