Four years ago, after eleven years of constant coughing and gradual decline, I weighed about ninety pounds, my cheek-bones stood out, my temples were sunken into great hollows, my hands were almost transparent, my complexion like a piece of parchment. When my friends entered the room I could often see plainly written on their peering, questioning countenances,—"Is she dead?" In four and one-half months from the time above stated, I weighed 132½ pounds, my complexion was clear, I coughed but little, and felt perfectly well, though at times, there was still in my throat a rattling sound which gave my friends much uneasiness. (Just think of ignoring all the wonderful good which had been accomplished and concentrating thought in fear, on that one painless defect.) I soon learned, however, that, when not subject to "fear of their fear," I could express perfect health, which has been my happy state for fully three and one-half years; during which time, without any interruption in my work, two dear little children have been added to our family, both perfect pictures of health.
I was treated while in Colorado by a lady in L., New Hampshire. I have never, as yet, seen her "face to face," but I entertain for her a regard indescribable, but surely very sweet and tender. Through her letters I was enabled to see Science and Health in its true light, and read it from the first with joy and gladness, as something for which I had long been searching but had despaired of finding—"Here."
Three years ago we moved to the city where we have since remained. There were only three known Christian Scientists in the city, but many believers in theosophy, spiritualism, and mind-cure, all claiming the name of "Science"; also many believers in faith-cure, who were looked upon by "outsiders" as Christian Scientists, though they were and are averse to the name, and fully recognize the difference in the methods of treating disease. Amid all this tangle of mortal thought, by holding firmly to the teachings of Science and Health I have been kept safely; not only holding myself superior to sickness but growing to the point where I could help others to enough of the understanding to dismiss all medicines and material remedies from their homes and realize that "The destruction of error'' was and is "The mission of Christ," "who is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever."
