Dear Journal:—We are glad when one month is closing, for with the new one comes our much-loved Journal. We appreciate so much each article therein; and how eagerly we scan the "Contents," to see if a message has come to us from "Mother." When such a message is found, it furnishes sufficient food for that day,— otherwise "Notes from the Field," claim our attention. How these do speak, first to one, then another! Massachusetts and Washington clasp hands; Bermuda and Michigan greet each other; like the day of Pentecost, "We do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God" (Acts 2: 11).
I have for a long time wanted to tell of our first experience in Christian Science, and a little of the work here; and I thank "R. L. W., Guthrie, Okla," in the March Journal, for helping me to be ashamed, not of myself, but of the error which held me from writing, for if I could not write like Paul, yet I could say how grateful I was for the "daily bread" that is supplied in such abundance. Then too, did not Jesus, after blessing the bread and fish, give to the disciples for them to distribute among the people? All have so much to be grateful for, that it seems more, ''Where shall I begin to count my blessings?" than, "What have I to say?" and by being thankful we are assured that greater blessings yet will be poured out.
In a city of western Ontario, about seven years ago, a lady, a member of the Roman Catholic Church, told my mother how wonderfully she had been healed, in a few treatments, of a claim which presented itself after the birth of her babe, and also of the cure of the babe of some ailment from which the medical men said it could not recover. The earnestness of the lady, together with the word "Christian," seemed to assure mother that there could be nothing wrong or of the mesmeric or hypnotic methods about this, and very soon she found the Scientist, who is a student of one of the Mother's loyal students. The best physicians of that city had told mother that they could not do anything for her unless she gave up her business and took a long holiday. This she could not do: and right here is a marked difference between the treatments by materia medica and Christian Science, for the latter said that the promise, "My grace is sufficient for you," was really meant, and that it was to be proven in all cases, physical as well as spiritual, and that one need not be idle in order to be healed.
"Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," was purchased, when, although not at once, but slowly and surely, the claim disappeared, the new Light came forth, shedding its rays in every direction, and we really saw that Christian Science was the only medicine required for healing.
During this time I had been at school away from home. Afterward I taught in a rural section, where what little I heard of Christian Science led me to fear it more than to look to it for help. When compelled by ill-health to leave my studies and look elsewhere for employment, I came to Toronto, where my mother had been living for some time. She wished me to have treatment, but gave me my choice, and I chose the visible means, only again to see that it was not the staff I had considered it. I had always hoped some day to become a nurse, or, perhaps, a missionary, and in this way lead souls to a knowledge of the religion I was a believer in, but even this I was not able to do; so I tried to study stenography, but found that studying was not to be done in my then condition.
Although I saw my mother surely rising above the claims which had held her in bondage for many years, and other cures which could not be disputed, I yet thought that perhaps they were easier to influence, and so might be healed, while I could not be. However, the time soon came when I could stand the suffering no longer, and on going to the Scientist I was frank with him, telling him that though I had no faith in it, I would give it a fair trial, and if he helped me I would believe in Christian Science. The purity and simplicity touched my thought, and I recall vividly that morning, as I had my first treatment, how I sat watching the Scientist, until I was led to see that this could only be of God, and I seemed to hear the "still, small voice," which spoke to my troubled sense, dwelling in darkness. How little I realized then the words of Jesus, "These signs shall follow them that believe"! I had eight treatments in all, and the physical change which came over me was wonderful. The spiritual followed, but not so perceptibly; the sin seemed less easy to get rid of than the sick belief, but it, too, is going. I saw there was in this new (?) religion what there was not in the Methodist Church, for here the people actually lived those Truths about which I had heard the ministers preach so much, and the people talk a great deal. Four years ago in April we united with First Church of Christ, Scientist, Toronto, and I think my mother's joy was even more than mine on that Easter Morning, which was also the Communion Sunday. "We felt the Love, the joy, the peace which was not only to be talked here, but practised. Here we learned how we could love, without having seen the personal Jesus, and have at times experienced a little of the Master's, "Blessed are ye." Now we are able to prove daily that this religion is not a fad, to pass by after a season, but that it is the grand, practical Truth which stands as the Rock of the Ages. Had we not had claims to meet we might have thought we should have been well if we had waited long enough, but these having been overcome by Truth without resorting to material means, prove the efficacy of Truth.
There are very many interesting features in connection with the work here, but I will mention only a few. First Church of Christ, Scientist, was established in this province and in this city some seven years ago, by Mr. and Mrs. J H. Stewart. The services were first held in their residence, but soon requiring larger quarters, a hall was secured. Then one hall after another had to be taken on account of the rapid growth of the congregation, until we secured the church we are now occupying. We already have a goodly fund toward our new Church, which we hope soon to see visibly manifested. The services have been better attended since the new order was adopted, averaging now about four hundred persons; and every week we hear of one or more having been healed at our services, and especially the Sunday morning service. The Friday evening meeting is well attended; the testimonies are given with such a ring of Truth for victory over sin as well as sickness, that there can be no mistake as to the sincerity of the people and of their understanding what they so earnestly declare.
Our Sunday School is by no means a minor part of the work here. At the time the new Pastor was accepted, we went earnestly to work taking up the lines mentioned by the Mother in the Journal. In many cases we see how it could be said, "And a little child shall lead them." One Sunday our superintendent asked the children what was the best thought they had had the past week. No one seeming able to express their thought, the question was left with them, and when it was again asked, a little boy about five years of age responded, "I thank God for giving us Mrs. Eddy who gave us the little prayer which healed me." By repeating it daily for some time the child's thought had grasped what no doubt was intended for us all. The average attendance of the Sunday School is about sixty-five, all being children under fifteen years of age.
