NOTES FROM THE FIELD

Several years ago, I found myself under a dreadful bondage of sickness and pain, attended by physicians, nurses, and despairing loved ones, who ministered at my bedside many weary months, with unceasing devotion and much medicine, after the orthodox custom. Finally I got up and around after a fashion—a very poor one. Doctors said my nervous system was damaged beyond repair; that I would never be strong again. The next few years seemed to confirm this decree. One complication followed another.

However, a change of physician and treatment seemed, at times, to promise relief. I would get out among my friends a few times, then be down bedfast for weeks. Thus years passed away, pain and suffering driving me to the verge of insanity. At last the surgeon's knife promised the only relief. The attending physician said I must be sent to New York to a noted specialist, and maybe my health could be restored. My husband always drew the line of his endeavors at an operation, so this was postponed.

In the mean time, vigorous dietetics were followed, as I had grown to have acute stomach trouble, attended by spasms, which were all the time of more frequent occurrence, and every organ in my body seemed more or less diseased.

Friends who had for two or three years been trying to turn our unwilling attention to Christian Science, now began to insist upon my taking treatment. I must say that, through gross and inexcusable ignorance, I had considered these suggestions in the light of insults to my native intelligence. I actually despised the very name of Christian Science, and gave my well-meaning friends to understand as much, in no uncertain terms.

Oh, these poor, prejudiced mortals! How they do sit down in their pain-racked misery, hug the darkness about them, and so fear to relax their puny hold, "lest they should see with their eyes, and should hear with their ears, and should understand with their hearts, and should be converted," and God's blessed Truth should heal them!

Finally, all weakened and crushed in my battle with, and servitude under the belief in, a power apart from God. I yielded to treatment from a loyal student of Mrs. Eddy, and, contrary to my expectation, began immediately to mend. The healer endeavored to give me, along with the treatment, an understanding of the Truth, as taught in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." I should be ashamed to say just how loath I seemed to turn a deaf ear to error, and a willing one to Truth. But, thanks to the love and long-suffering patience manifested by the healer, I finally, after many trials and temptations, and a class course of instruction, came to recognize myself as a child of God; made in His image and likeness.

I have now been sound and well for three years. This is indeed a blessing for which I am unspeakably thankful. But even this is small compared to the spiritual uplifting and exalted joy which follow the understanding that I am, not shall be, dwelling securely in His presence, where all is harmony.

It is glorious to be free from that feeling of uncertainty and fear which is the ever-present dread of those who esteem evil as real as Good, and the constant menace of the struggler after righteousness.

How good it is to feel instead, "that peace which passeth all understanding," which blesses and sustains those who know God to be All-in-all.

Mrs. I. G. Davidson, Portland, Oregon.

In 1885 I was working in a mine, near Colfax, Iowa, when the top gave way, and I was very badly crushed through the hips and spine; four ribs and my right hip were broken, and the doctors could not set it. Not only was I a cripple, but I had Bright's disease. I consulted a doctor in regard to that trouble. He said I was the worst case he ever saw to be up and around. He told me to go home and settle up my business affairs, for there was no hope for me.

I went home and had nothing to do or think of, but wait for the enemy. I would swear when they said God had sent it on me. I could not believe in the religions that were presented to me, therefore I was looked upon as an infidel.

I continued to grow worse, my suffering was intense. My wife had a Christian Science friend. She said, "I think Mrs. M—could comfort you, perhaps heal you; would you not like her to come?" I saw my wife was anxious, so I said, "Yes, I would like to have her come." She had been in the room only a short time, when the light of Truth, flashed into my understanding, and I was healed. I got right up and walked without thinking of my cane. My broken hip was set for the first time in all the eleven years.

The friends whom I had often joined in scoffing at the little band of Christian Scientists who held meetings here, now scoffed and ridiculed me; but their scoffing and jeering did not affect me. I knew I had found the Truth, the light which all the darkened world needs. I quit the company of my old friends in their sports, and games of cards, and drinks; and when I met them and heard the profane language, it caused me to say, "How could I ever indulge in the same routine and call it pleasure?"

Then the tobacco habit came up to be judged. For forty-one years I had been a slave to tobacco. The only time I did not have it in my mouth, was when I ate and slept, and for ten years I slept with it in my mouth. It came to me one day shortly after I was healed, when I had been trying to uplift an old friend, that "you are not healed yet. You are a great slave to a false god, and while you are talking of God, and his great healing power, you are serving the god of a filthy weed." I made up my mind then and there, that that habit would handle me no longer, but I would handle and destroy this idol which I had worshipped so long. I had a hard struggle for a few days. The tempter worked hard, but I met him every time with, "Get thee hence Satan. It is written that we must serve God, and Him alone." All desire left me. I have proved victor ever since.

After my hip went into place, the thigh filled in four inches. Before this I could neither sit down nor lie down without suffering pain all the time; but, thanks be to God, it is different now; I can sleep, eat, walk, work, and no pain, no discord, no doctors, and no doctors' bills; all is Light, Life, Love, and Truth.

I never knew what life was till December, 1896. I have lived fifty-four years, but have just begun to live.

I cannot express my gratitude to God and to the teachings of Christian Science. The Bible and Science and Health are my inseparable companions.

Smith D. Bullington, Eureka, Utah.

From childhood I seemed to have a terrible fear and dread of all sickness, and as soon as any symptom manifested itself I was frightened and took all the medicine I could hear of that was thought good for that particular disease; but I was not satisfied with taking medicine. I thought my sickness was caused by some sin I had committed, and I would pray to God to forgive me, and try harder to please Him. When a temptation would come to me again, I would try at first to resist it, and then this thought would come, "The Bible says, God will forgive seventy times seven, and I will do this and then pray to God and he will forgive me, for the Bible said he would."

I was gloomy and fretful, and wanted to see no one. My mind was affected and my head hurt me for years. My back had been injured in childhood by a fall, and hurt me nearly all the time. My throat was sore every time the wind changed, and I had other troubles that seemed to need surgical aid. My eyes were affected; I had catarrh, and other ailments I have not mentioned.

This was my condition when I first heard the name of Christian Science. I shall never forget that day; it was one Sunday morning I asked one of my near neighbors for a novel to read. She said she had none, but she had Science and Health, and offered that to me. I told her I knew nothing about it, but would take it to pass away the time. I read her book when she could spare it; I would read and then pray to know of God if it was the right way, and several days I kept on in this struggle. One night I prayed very earnestly to know if Science and Health was right, and all at once I seemed to hear a voice say, "Christian Science is what you need;" that settled the question for me, and I began the study of Science and Health in earnest.

I met a great deal of opposition. My husband thought I was going off into something dreadful, said I might just as well read Tom Paine's books, and tried hard to keep me from being led astray from the Friends' Church. My friends shunned me, and one of the church members came and told me Christian Science was a lie, and all who taught it taught lies, and they knew it. I listened until she got through, and then quietly said, "I am perfectly satisfied." She seemed indignant to think, after her effort to save me, I was so calm and well-satisfied. She went away vexed, and never came again. In less than three months I was healed just by reading Science and Health.

How happy I was to say I was well, but the physical healing was nothing compared with the spiritual regeneration and uplifting. Now I can say I am beginning to learn what Love is, and am trying to love my neighbor as myself, for I am trying to live Love.

When I learned that God does not punish his children with sickness and death, but sin brings its own punishment, a great burden rolled off me. I feel like a bird that had always been in a cage, and has been set at liberty. It seemed as though my feet scarcely touched the ground when I was first turned out of bondage, and I wanted to tell everybody I saw what Science and Health had done for me. Now I am trying to live Christian Science more and talk less.—D. L. B., Wichita, Kan.

In the spring of 1895, I received a letter from a sister residing north, stating that she had become a Christian Scientist. Had she announced her intention of becoming a nun, I could not have been more surprised.

From time to time she wrote me letters containing little else than Christian Science. I suggested that she write me a real sisterly, gossipy letter once more. It never came, but instead an occasional word of Love.

Later on I went north, glad of the opportunity (as I supposed) of rescuing this loved one from the error into which I believed she had fallen. I suffered the usual inconveniences of a sea-voyage, and reached my destination limp and wilted,—a fit subject for Christian Science. It did not take me long to discover that I was the one to be rescued. I lived for two weeks in an atmosphere of Love.

The greatest surprise was the large church (for I attended a Christian Science church to please my sister), filled with good-looking, refined, intelligent men and women. What a revelation! I had never before seen so many really happy faces together, especially at church. Each face proclaimed, "He that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast."

I had heard Christian Science defined as "the hysterical religion." I failed to see anything of that nature here. The silent and interested attention to the reading of those Scriptural passages, suggested the disciples sitting at the feet of Jesus.

The music was beautiful. There was something here I had not found in other churches. After services each one that took me by the hand spoke of the beauty of the lesson, or of God and Love and Life, and was ready to give a reason for the hope that was in him. These are subjects usually held too sacred for talk outside of the pulpit. I was surprised, too, that all seemed to think the same thoughts, to hold the same belief, and to love one another. I felt, "There is a beauty in their lives that makes me ugly." To be in their presence was at the same time a benediction and a reproach. I had the sense of having escaped from something by finding a people whom I could trust, and of having received a new lease of life.

During the summer I was not with Scientists, therefore had much time to reflect, doubt, and question; but always found myself on the defensive when a word opposing Science was spoken.

My intention was to return to Florida in the fall, but Truth opened the way for me to remain north. In November I entered a class. My health was good except deafness in my right ear. This deafness was of several years' standing. Having experienced little inconvenience therefrom I had never deemed it necessary to take treatment of any kind. At the testimonial meeting during the class session, I listened to cases of healing that were, to my sense, miraculous. I had an intense longing to possess even a little of that power. The divine Love reflected at that meeting forced me to accept the Truth of Christian Science without limitation, by opening my closed ear. I awoke in the night and found my hearing fully restored. I have never doubted since, and my daily prayer is, "Shepherd, show me how to go."

Mrs. Sophia Way Baker, Winter Park, Florida.

Over a year ago I was led to Truth. For five years I had been in wretched health, having, as I had been told by five of the best surgeons of St. Louis, a growth in my side, from which I suffered a great deal of pain. After spending some time in a St. Louis hospital, I was dismissed as cured, only to find myself in less than two weeks in the same condition as when I entered. One eminent surgeon confidentially told my husband that an operation was inevitable.

I was persuaded by a young lady in Chicago to visit a Christian Science healer, and to show what a slight conception I had of Truth, I can remember distinctly looking behind me while taking the first treatment, to see if there was anything unusual.

When she asked me about myself, I gave her a long list of ailments, and then thinking I wanted all for the money I could get, spoke of my eyes, never thinking that they could be healed. I was wearing two pairs of glasses, but suffered all the time, and one of the best oculists had refused my case.

After leaving the healer, all my diseases came forth with redoubled force, even my temper was stirred, and when the young lady at the house asked how I was, I told her I had had all the Christian Science I wanted.

I was to have gone to the healer the next day but spent it in bed. The following day I went down town and accidentally met the healer in a store. I tried to avoid her, but she looked at me so pleasantly, that I was soon sitting by her side, telling her that I guessed I would not take any more treatment, that I really thought she was doing me more harm than good, explaining how I felt. However, I promised to call on her the next day, and after leaving, felt a little provoked that I had promised.

It had been impossible for me to walk any distance without my side giving me much pain, but that day I walked from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. without the slightest inconvenience, and when I arrived home in the evening, to my great astonishment, I was not even tired.

I filled my engagement bright and early the next morning, that being my last treatment, as I left town on the following day for a short visit.

Those two treatments are all that I have had, and since that day I have not touched medicine in any form, have not spent one day in bed, have not had my glasses on. I can't begin to tell how I have been helped physically.

I procured a Bible and a copy of Science and Health; and the book I had said was not to be compared with Emerson's "Conduct of Life," I find filled with Truth of which I had not the slightest conception.

I am so thankful for the dear friend who led me into Science, and still more grateful to Mrs. Eddy, who has given us the "Key to the Scriptures" which has unlocked for me the pages of the Bible, giving me a spiritual understanding.

Mrs. E. J. C., Peoria, Ill.

Three years ago I was healed of heart trouble and nervous prostration by a friend who had known me as the wife of an Episcopal clergyman. She came to us at a time when we seemed to be in the greatest need. My husband had been compelled to give up the ministry through failing eyesight, the oculist giving him but one year before he would be totally blind, and I an invalid; but the Truth healed us both,—healing me in one treatment. I shall never forget the joy of finding myself suddenly well, or the peace that came to me as my husband and I began to study "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." We laid down the old teaching for the new, and found what we had always been seeking. While in the Episcopal church, we were loyal to its teaching, and tried hard to be consistent Christians; but it was very up-hill work, and most unsatisfying to us. Spiritual growth seemed uncertain, but I felt sure faithfulness would have its reward hereafter. The unfolding of this Christ-Truth, has been truly beautiful, smoothing down the seeming rough places we have been passing through.

A short time ago my husband and I were looking back over the past three years, and we could both say we were thankful for every step we had taken in those years. What if it did mean laying aside clerical robes, and working with pick and shovel on the streets for the husband, and sewing and house-cleaning for me? We were working for Truth, and Truth sustained us. False pride was left behind with the old life, and contentment came in its place.

We have had many beautiful demonstrations since we began the study of Christian Science. Last May a baby boy came to our home, and as there was no time to send for a Scientist—my husband and I being alone—he realized the Truth for me. I had no pain whatever. When the child was born my husband asked if he should call a neighbor to attend to it, but I told him no, I knew I could do everything required for it. I knew the One Physician was with us and I could not fail. When the Scientist came fifteen minutes later she pronounced the work perfectly done. I never experienced such a happy, peaceful season, as I did the days following. I remained in my room four days with my books, and on the fifth day, took up my work again as though I had never left it.

God has been good to us, and has been with us all the way. He has gently led us out of a seeming claim of lack. My husband is now engaged in teaching. Our hearts are full of gratitude towards Mrs. Eddy for all she has done for us through her writings, and to the dear Scientist who has been so patient with us.

L. A. Vincent, Salt Lake City, Utah.

For several years I was under the care of doctors and received no permanent benefit. Then one doctor said, "It is necessary that an operation be performed, and I think you will be all right; but of course there is always more or less danger connected with such things." Not knowing of any better way I submitted to the ordeal under the influence of ether. The operation proved of no benefit, and after another year of medical treatment a second operation was performed then a third, and I was worse off than ever. I spoke to the M. D. under whose care I had been for four years, about trying some other mode of treatment, and his reply was, "If you resort to other means your case will prove hopeless." About six months from this time another disease set in, and I was compelled to remain in bed until I began to think I never should be well.

I grew steadily worse, and about this time a dear friend wrote me how she and others had been healed by Christian Science, and that a great work was being done all over our land and in foreign lands by Christian Scientists in healing sickness as well as casting out sin. But I had not suffered enough yet to trust something I knew nothing about and feared might be wrong. In other words, I could not trust in God alone to heal me, but whatever Christian Science might be, I thought it could not reach my case. I only had to suffer a little longer before I came to the point where I knew something must be done right away. I stopped taking medicine and requested Christian Science treatment. Within one week after treatment I could dress myself and go about the house, which I had not done for several weeks. I steadily improved, and although doubts and fears at times tried to assert themselves, the ever-present Good was ready to help in time of need, and with no medicine but divine Mind I am well. It is three years since the light burst through those black clouds and caused them to roll away.

Being a farmer's daughter I am sometimes called upon to help with hard work, and it does not make me suffer as it used to do. I have not only been able to do much material work, but find that with my little understanding of Christian Science I have been enabled to meet severe cases of sickness in others. Christian Science is more to me than anything else; it is Christ's pure teaching which alone overcomes the world, the flesh, and the devil. If our surroundings seem to be hedged by opposition, we knew "the true light now shineth."

Ella L. Waltman, Laddsburg, Pa.

My attention was first called to Christian Science about six years ago, when a sister, who had been healed of cataract of the eye, came to this city, in response to a call to come quickly, or she would never see our mother alive, as she was in the last stages of consumption, and about to pass from us.

My sister, who had been making Christian Science her constant study, and had been quite successful in cases she had taken in her neighborhood, did not take the stand we did in regard to our mother's illness. After two weeks' work which only a Christian Scientist can know, mother was healed, and to the astonishment of every one, particularly the doctors, returned with my sister to her home in Denver, where she spent three months studying this Science which had done so much for her. At the end of this time she returned to St. Louis, and for a short time we all seemed interested in Christian Science; but we did not understand, and did not want anything to do with it, and it was all forgotten until, about eighteen months ago, it was again brought to my notice through the healing of my husband.

After many months with doctors and medicine, he was told by one of the M.D.'s that they could not help him; that the only thing left was to travel; that his particular case of stomach trouble was beyond medicine. After more suffering, he became aware that what was to be done had to be done quickly. He went to the mountains; growing worse, he took all kinds of baths, and after a month of trying everything suggested, he at last gave up and was about to return home a sick, sad, discouraged, miserable man.

Now, in his desperation, he remembered the advice of our sister, and mentioned this last hope. We talked it over, and thought as long as we were so far away from home no one we knew would ever hear of it, and we might try it. My sister was at that time located at Eureka, a small mining town in Utah, endeavoring to establish a church for the people of that place. We found her busy, happy, and in good health. We stayed ten days, then returned home, he a perfectly well man. As for myself, I was all upset; but I did not stay that way long; I finally got righted. I want to say, also, that with the disappearance of all my husband's bad claims, the tobacco habit left, and he has felt no desire for it since.

For a year or more we have been led into ways of pleasantness, and into paths of peace, and find out each day that "knowledge is power."

Eunice E. Higdon, St. Louis, Mo.

My mother was interested in Christian Science, and to give her the satisfaction of feeling that she had done all she could for me, I let her go for a Scientist. Twelve hours after the first treatment, my temperature was normal, my bowels moved, and I was resting easy. On the tenth day the swelling and all pain suddenly left me. After five weeks I was able to go alone a three days' journey by rail.

I wish to tell what comfort and joy I had in Mrs. Eddy's dear book, "Christ and Christmas." After my healer had been coming to see me every day for ten days, and my mother had been reading to me from Science and Health, I was shown "Christ and Christmas." For the larger part of a week I kept turning the leaves, thinking how good God was to send such beautiful thoughts, to cheer and comfort poor mortals. At that time I was not able to read or to hold the book, but had it propped up before me with pillows. Since that time I never have been able to catch a glimpse of a copy, and hail with delight the great privilege now granted me, of owning one.

My healing was not as rapid as many I have known of, but with spiritual growth, came complete physical healing. Five months after my first treatment, I was fortunate enough to have class instruction from a loyal student of Mrs. Eddy, and since have been able to destroy claims for others, and am constantly striving to keep the command, "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give" (Matthew, 10:8).

Three weeks ago I was sent for to treat a man for bronchitis. He had been unable to swallow or speak for five days, and given up to die by his physicians. He was treated at ten o'clock, Friday night; Saturday night at seven he spoke aloud, and at twelve the same night, he went on duty, being a night watchman. He has had no return of the claim. A chronic claim of bronchial consumption has also been healed.—F. D., Dallas, Tex.

I wish to tell the readers of the Journal how a testimonial of Mind surgery in the September, 1897, number, helped me to make a somewhat similar demonstration.

One of my twin boys, nearly four years of age, was playing near a pile of wood when the largest log rolled on him, knocking him down, and putting his right shoulder out of joint. I was tempted to send for a surgeon to put it in place, or ask some other Scientist for help; but I met it all and knew that God could do more than any human being, and that I was privileged to get all the light there was.

I read to him about little Harold, in the Journal, and then said, "Now, Rufie, if the Truth could help that little boy, it can help you, too, for you are one of God's children, and can reflect nothing but Good."

While I was treating him he fell asleep; but I kept on working and soon felt so free from fear, and so sure that he was healed, that I picked up some mending I had been

When he awakened, about an hour later, he still seemed doing and finished it.

in pain; but as I lifted him from the bed I heard a snap, and knew the shoulder had gone back in place. In a few minutes he began to use his hand, and within two hours after the occurrence we went out for a drive, and no one in the house knew what had happened. He even went out and helped his twin brother carry a small gasoline stove, without seeming to feel it in the least. Later in the day he complained somewhat, but I told him that if God was all, there couldn't be any other power.

Two or three days later, he complained of his neck, and I found a swelling over his collar-bone, and concluded that had been fractured too. I again met error with Truth, and in about a week's time this was gone.

It is seven years since we first turned to Christian Science. We have seven children, but not one has ever spent a day in bed, during all these years.

We have a regularly organized church here. The membership is small, but we feel that God is with us.

How beautiful it is that though we may be scattered the world over, yet in Truth we are all God's children! I feel near to all who believe in Christian Science, and have deep love and charity for those who as yet do not care to listen.

Mary Emma Chisholm Bennett, Geneva, Illinois.

While with my family visiting friends in an Eastern city, my daughter was taken suddenly ill with inflammation of the bowels, burning fever alternating with cold perspiration, accompanied with prostration, all the symptoms aggravated by the intense heat of the climate. I had never undertaken so severe a case, and my first thought was to send for help, but there was no Scientist nearer than three hundred miles that I knew of. The case being urgent, and my husband "holding up my hands," I went to work to allay the fear of all concerned, realizing the power of the Truth to destroy error. Our hostess, in the kindness of her heart, urged that we have a physician or the child would die, as the disease was prevalent, many fatal cases in the neighborhood, and what would people say? My husband told her we did not believe in medicine, had not used any material remedies for six years previously, and that he had faith in my understanding of the Truth. On the evening of the second day after treatment began the patient was down stairs, and the third day drove out, sat at table, eating what she chose, to the amazement of our friends, one of whom I found examining the pulse and tongue of the child to convince herself it was a genuine cure. At the end of a week from the first attack, we started on the homeward journey by rail, two thousand miles away; my daughter enduring the excessive heat of mid-summer, irregular meals, and other discomforts without detriment.

This triumph of Truth was all the more gratifying because it occurred in the home of my childhood, where, under the supervision of the same member of our family who now was in possession of it, I had taken my last material remedy, and had also, six years before, made my first demonstration in the Truth, where the atmosphere was antagonistic to progress in spiritual things, where it was said of me, "If J— does not go along and attend to her family, and stop trying to find out something or other, she does not know what, and give up running after those nonsensical sciences and things, she will land in the lunatic asylum."

This demonstration proved I was taking care of my family, attending to their best welfare, and convinced my critic there was a Power she had never seen demonstrated before.

J. M., San Jose, Cal.

I have been shown very positively lately the truism, that, as we look upon people or things so are they to us, but very often not so in Truth.

A sense of gratitude and a rebuked self leads me to send this account to our ever-welcome Journal.

It is my present lot in life to travel in company with a party the size of which varies on each trip. There were seventeen of us on the trip just concluded, and we were en route about four months.

In the formation of a party it had been my custom to look about me for those who would seem likely to be attracted by Christian Science, that I might drop a few words to them in its favor; but I seemed to feel that, on this trip, there would be few whom I could convince of the Truth, and that the prospects were I should have but little Scientific conversation for some months. I satisfied myself with knowing the Truth, with reading, and by speaking of it to only one of the party.

After being out about two months we met a gentleman and his wife, who had recently received the privilege and benefit of a visit to Mrs. Eddy. Their presence and encouragement, and their description of their interview with her, seemed to reflect so much hope and light, that the work in our party immediately began in earnest, and now, at the close of the trip, seven copies of Science and Health, four of "Miscellaneous Writings," and other literature, are at work, and the healing resulting therefrom has included one very remarkable case of impersonal healing, besides the cure of rheumatism, sprained ankle, earache, blood poisoning, neuralgia, sore throats, granulated eyelid, piles, locomotor ataxia, fever, severe symptoms of grip, and the departure of chronic troubles, not to mention the marked sense of harmony more apparent in the daily affairs.

This outcome from what I looked upon as unfavorable ground, is a source of much happiness to me, and teaches me very practically the significance of the text, "Judge not."

Geo. H. Trader, New York, N. Y.

I am a commercial traveller, and have represented the house I am connected with through the West, for ten years.

I was born in Scotland, and was of course brought up in the Presbyterian faith. I want to tell to the world that Christian Science did for me in twenty-four hours what materia medica failed to do in eight years. It healed me of the worst kind of stomach trouble, after having tried every kind of a remedy that I had heard of, including hot water and graham bread, and instead of getting better I grew worse. During the last three years I took some kind of medicine nearly every day. One physician told me that I would have to give up business for six months and go to Europe, as I needed a change more than medicine. He was right, I did need a change, not of climate, however, but of thought, and I got it; for soon afterwards Christian Science came to me through a customer in Colorado while on one of my trips through that state.

After several talks with him I began to see that there was something radically wrong with my sense of Christianity.

In the fall of the same year (1896), I went through a class, which was taught by one of Mrs. Eddy's faithful students. While going through this class the revelation dawned upon me, that all is Mind (God).

The last night of the class I spoke to my teacher about the disease mentioned, for it was still with me. He said he would attend to my case in the morning, on account of having other work that night. It is now eighteen months since that "morning," and that was the last of my eight years' stomach trouble—it simply vanished like a dream, and I haven't seen nor heard anything of it since. Several other troubles have gone since then.

I am now a member of our Chicago church, and trying every day to imbibe more of the Spirit which giveth Life. The disease I speak of being common among commercial travellers, I hope my experience may be the means of leading some of the "boys" to investigate Christian Science.

Lawrence Donald, Chicago, Ill.

I have been admitted to the corridors of the Washington Jail, and have found a ready soil for the good seed. Two men to whom I gave the Journal, on my second visit last winter, gladly accepted the Truth, and when later I gave them each Science and Health and the Bible, they began to study for themselves. My daughter also gave one of them "Miscellaneous Writings." They pleaded guilty at their trial in court, and were sent to the State Prison at Trenton, N. J., for three years. But the blessed Truth went with them, and they are both earnest disciples of Christian Science to-day, and have been healed of all physical claims, and rejoice in their freedom from the bondage of sin. They had both been victims of drink, one confessing to me that he was a drunkard at the age of twelve, and had had delirium tremens.

On my way to New York in July last, I visited them at the State Prison, and my heart overflowed with praise and thankfulness to God to see what a change Truth had wrought. I receive a letter from each every month. They study the Sunday School lessons and look eagerly for the Journal.

We know that Christian Science is a practical religion and can really help the prisoner and teach him the way of escape from the bondage of sin, sickness, and death, and to realize his God-given heritage of true freedom. Science and Health and "Miscellaneous Writings," are now in the State Prison library.

Adelia Wills Francis, Washington, D. C.

Second Church of Christ, Scientist, in Buffalo, N. Y., was organized in April, 1891, under the name of Central Church of Christ, Scientist, and was legally incorporated October, 1897, under the name of Second Church of Christ, Scientist.

The growth of the church has been gradual. Until March, 1895, our services were held in a hall, but at that time we secured the lecture room of the Twentieth Century Club, which was formerly a Baptist church.

In April, 1896, we took a room in the Mooney and Brisbane Building, as a Reading Room, Dispensary, and for our Friday evening meetings.

This room has become too small, and larger rooms are being fitted up for us in the same building. We expect to move into our new quarters in a few weeks. Our Sunday School has nearly trebled in the last three months. We have started a building fund, the nucleus of which was collected by the children of the Sunday School, and the first addition to it was a thank-offering from one of our number for benefits received.

The work is opening in various directions, and we are thankful for the understanding of God which breaks the bonds of material sense, and sets the prisoner free.

L. M. Chilcott, Buffalo, N. Y.

About two years ago we began to hold experience meetings. Many came seeking the Truth, and all through an unusually hot summer our meetings grew in interest and numbers.

Several cases of severe and seemingly incurable diseases have been met and conquered. Four ladies have laid off their glasses, and have no use for them.

Strangers passing through the city have attended these meetings, and were not only healed at the time, but later have sought the Truth for themselves.

A mother came from curiosity, yet with a longing for something that she did not possess, and before six months had gone by, she came out boldly for Christian Science. Her youngest daughter, twelve years of age, was healed, Next came the oldest daughter, a life-long sufferer from asthma; then the son was healed, and all are now loyal Christian Scientists.

One of our number, the wife of an M. D., is healing all her family, and the husband acknowledges that one case was beyond his medical skill.

Mrs. A. J. Roe, Fort Worth, Texas.

On February 18, it was decided by a unanimous vote of the church members, that the contribution offerings on each Communion Sunday should be forwarded to the Mother Church as a "Love offering." Also that the contributions of the first Sunday of each month (exclusive of Communion Sundays), should be set aside for a church building fund.

It was also decided to enlarge our present church quarters, as our hall has been too small to accommodate the people comfortably for some time. When enlarged and repaired the hall will accommodate about two hundred people.

This is the fourth time since the organization of our church, four years ago, that we have had to enlarge our borders.

The attendance is steadily increasing at the Sunday services, and the Friday evening experience meetings are proving helpful to every one. For all that our expenses have increased the past year we find Truth supplies every need. By sending a Love offering to the "True Vine," the branch will be nourished more abundantly.

Mrs. L. J. Enell, Tacoma, Wash.

I find that many of the Scientists whom I meet have an idea that all doctors are bitterly opposed to Christian Science. A physician, a resident of this city, is supposed to be a serious antagonist to our Cause, and yet, last winter, when a man whom I had treated, but who was unwilling to be considered well, went to this physician hoping to be confirmed in his denial of health, the doctor told him he had undoubtedly splintered a cord in his back, but that no matter who or what had healed him, the work had been done and done well; all there was left of his ailment was his notion of it. If we could only realize how much of this dreaded opposition from men in power is our belief of it, how it could be vanquished.

Louise DeLisle Radzinski, Northampton, Mass.

An abscess on the lung of twelve years' standing, quick consumption, kidney trouble, female weakness, nervous prostration, and dyspepsia have all been destroyed by the power of eternal Truth, and the "half has not been told," for many minor claims have been met, and sins that were being indulged have been uncovered and are fading away.

Many times the darkness has been so great, the path seemed lost, but the Light was all the brighter when the clouds disappeared.—D. M. S., Horton, Kan.

In the spring of 1897 a few Scientists in Stockton, met weekly to read the Bible and Science and Health.

March 4, 1898, we organized as First Church of Christ, Scientist, Stockton, California, with a charter membership of sixteen.

The attendance at the Sunday service is about twenty-five, and at the Friday evening meeting thirty.

Jessie M. Stringham, Clerk.

On March 23d we organized as First Church of Christ, Scientist, of Worcester, Mass., with seven charter members. Sunday services are held at G. A. R. Hall, 35 Pearl St., at 10.45 a.m., Thursday evening meetings at 306 Main St., at 7.45 p.m. Our average attendance is about fifty.

Wm. F. Tucker, Clerk.