We became interested in Science during February, 1897. For fifteen years previous to this time I had suffered from dyspepsia, and about two years from rheumatism and catarrh. I was treated by different doctors and tried patent medicines, but derived no benefit from any of them.
My wife suffered from female disorders from early in the year 1891 till 1897, and during the year 1895 and 1896 from rheumatism and catarrh. A number of doctors of different schools were employed at different times to treat her, and large quantities of medicines prepared by specialists were used; but she received no benefit. On April 21, 1895, there was born to us a little girl. At that time we employed a physician and a trained nurse. After twenty hours of labor and using of instruments and chloroform, the child was born, and my wife was told by the nurse she could never have another living child. Three weeks afterward she walked across her room for the first time. During February, 1897, I purchased a copy of Science and Health. My wife received eight treatments from a loyal Christian Scientist; we also began the study of the text-book. The claims from which we suffered were completely overcome. I received only two treatments during this time. On April 19, 1900, a little after five o'clock in the afternoon, my wife (feeling perfectly well) was out walking in the door-yard; a little after eight there was born to us (in perfect condition) a son whose weight with a few light clothes on was eleven and one fourth pounds; but how very different in every respect from the birth of our first little one. This time we had Christian Science. My wife was treated by one of Mrs. Eddy's loyal students, who was the only one present beside myself at this time. There was no medicine or instrument used, and almost no suffering. Everything passed in perfect order and there was no trouble in any way. My wife as well as ourselves ate a hearty supper, and we all retired and slept all night. My wife was advised by the Scientist that she was perfectly well, and that the baby was perfectly well in every respect, but to use common sense, and not do anything foolish, because she felt so well.
She rested comfortably in bed the first day, on the second sat up five hours. She has been up attending to her household duties every day since, and enjoys perfect health and strength, despite the fears of our neighbors, who declared that my wife would have serious ailments as a result of her getting up too soon; but greater than all these has been the peace and happiness gained by the study of Science. Though we have had some good demonstrations ourselves we know that it is only a small part of what may be accomplished by a better understanding of the Truth.
