Dear Journal:—The article, "Fear Destroyed," published in the September issue of our precious Journal, has reminded me, every time I have read it, of some great "bogey-bears" that used to fill my days with fear, and that Truth has destroyed for me. The greatest of these was the fear of taking cold. No matter how mild and balmy the air might be, I was never allowed to enjoy it as others did. "You know your throat is delicate, and you must not take cold." "Your chest is weak, and you must not take cold, or you will go into a consumption." These expressions were so frequently and emphatically repeated, that they stamped me "coward," and I dared not enjoy the sweet boon of fresh out-door air until the understanding of Truth in Christian Science set me free, to some extent, from the crippling limitations of belief of life and intelligence in matter. Even then, the habit of carefulness clung to me, and a very positive demonstration was needed to show me the absolute worthlessness of such guards and cares.
My demonstration came in this way. When I took possession of my country home, the long, grassy slope that runs down into the flats below was covered with a crop of docks and thistles that disfigured it, and threatened ruin to the adjacent gardens. I soon found no one would clear my land for me; men engaged for the purpose came, looked at it, said they would come the next day, and did not come. Boys, enticed by the approach of top and marble-playing days, came, pulled a few thistles, broke off a few docks, reported they were too prickly and tough for them, and went away.
All this time the weeds flourished in the April showers and sunshine, and I realized that if my land was to be cleared, I must do my own work myself, and not trust to others. Donning thick gloves and shoes, I went forth prepared for the tug of war; the long, tough roots of the docks demanded positive effort; the prickly stems of the thistles called for tact in approach more than for strength, and both gave me useful hints as to the manner of extirpating undesirable habits.
