YEARS ago, when seemingly under the shadow of great suffering, mental and physical; when idleness, enforced by a mistaken education, seemed to bind me as with chains; when religion was a myth, and hope for good a cheat, I stood, in the midst of plenty, spiritually starved, peering into unknown and terror-filled darkness. Like Moses, I was tending my flock at "the backside of the desert," when I heard the call to look up into light, not downward into darkness, and beheld the "mountain of God," and paused, trembling, doubtful, but with a new hope as sweet, as sure, and as heart-stirring, as the song of birds after a storm, to listen to the command I was to hear. It came about in this way. A friend from Chicago, a Scientist, came to our town to make a visit. I asked her question after question; I remember she explained very little, simply stating that health had come to them through the wonderful healing power of Christian Science. From that hour I recognized that the Star of the East had risen on my horizon, and the whole current of my thought turned in its direction.
I soon sought treatment of a Scientist in Chicago. The healing was not instantaneous, but penetrated my cloud-bound consciousness, as the slow, warm glow of a ruddy fire the almost frozen body. I lost sight of self and its desire for healing; I simply "let go," forgot all about it in marvelling at the change that had come over the universe and man. What was the light gilding all with such glory? I found myself singing and humming through the house like a girl, tossing my baby up over my head. I saw a look of wonder in my husband's eyes and paused. What a marvellous change was this? A few months ago that precious little one had to be lifted by her nurse and put into my lap; I had felt life a burden and each step an effort, and now, what was this? I must know the power, and at once subscribed to the Journal and Series, and purchased "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," and began the study. Such light as poured in upon my thirsty soul! I was like a sponge absorbing—drinking in until I felt I must give out. Every Scientist recognizes this stage. The precious truths found voice in the Sunday School, where I was a teacher, in society, in conversation with pastor and physician. I soon saw, with amazement, that I was avoided, criticized,' and maligned; friends betrayed me, and I began to shrink; when Truth whispered like unto this: "This is the way Jesus was persecuted; you are being found worthy to follow in his steps;" and a great gladness chased the shadows away.
At this period, my husband's health failed; soon this was followed by a failure in his business. The material sky seemed all clouds; the home was broken up. Soon the little we had left was gone, and still no work was found. We were absolutely penniless. In this, our extremity, Love was with us, the precious Ever-presence, removing grey shadows of fear and doubt, even my husband's despair, as he faced the situation with me, did not seem real to me nor to daunt me.
