For many years I had been a sufferer, many claims held me in bondage, among which were rheumatism, an affection of the back of head and spine which was very distressing, varicose veins, and a rupture of about twentyone years' standing. I had worn a truss for seven years with instructions never to put my feet on the floor without it on. I had been treated by many physicians, but only received temporary relief and each year found me worse than the year before, until I was a burden to myself and family. I had been a member of the Methodist Church for thirty years, and as such I had lived up to my highest understanding of the Scriptures.
On some points I had grown away from the theology as taught by the church. I believed that it was our privilege to be healed as Jesus healed, but did not know how to go about it to obtain the healing. I had prayed for healing and many friends had prayed for me, and yet I suffered on. Sometimes I was able to do considerable work, but constantly suffering; at other times confined to my bed or chair for weeks, or perhaps a month or two at a time, unable to walk. I had tried so hard to get well and failed that I had come to think that perhaps it was best for me to suffer, that I might do more good by being patient and cheerful under affliction than I could do if I were well, so I tried to be patient.
I was, to mortal sense, gradually growing worse. The doctors had said that medicine could not help me and I tried electricity and could not stand that. There seemed to be no help for me. But, thanks be to God, in that dark hour Christian Science was brought to my notice. This was in June, 1896. My husband, whose testimony appeared in the Journal of October, 1898, heard of Christian Science, went to see a healer, and brought home "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" for me to read. At that time I was not able to sit up or do any work. I laid aside all material remedies (which was not hard to do, as I had lost faith in them) and went to reading the book to see what it taught, little dreaming what was in store for me. At first I was a little afraid of the teaching, afraid I might be led away from the true teaching of the Bible.
