I was brought up to love and serve God, but there always seemed to be something that I could not find, so that when Christian Science was first brought to my notice I had not attended a place of worship for three years. I had become so addicted to intoxicating drink that at times if I had any money in my pocket I could not pass a saloon. I have often left my money at home because I could not resist the temptation to drink. I had also been addicted to the use of tobacco from childhood, and was never without it, although disgusted with myself for using it.
This was my condition when, about four years ago, I was working at the house of our First Reader. She introduced the subject of Christian Science to me. It seemed a very foolish belief and I thought no more about it until I had finished the work and was leaving the house, when she brought me a book and offered it to me on condition that if I would read it through three times I could keep it. I said I would read it.
I took the book home, and after supper I sat down in my accustomed place to read the daily paper, but it had not been delivered that day, so I took up Science and Health and commenced to read it. I read for a short time but did not like it, so I tossed it on the desk and smoked my pipe. Not having anything else to read, I took up the book again, refilled my pipe, and commenced to read. I then became interested, and continued the reading until I had read it through. While doing so, without any effort or thought on my part, the appetite for strong drink left me, also the appetite for smoking and chewing tobacco.
I commenced reading the book the second time. I wanted to keep it because it had brought so much light and truth to me. I saw that God is a just God, that He is a God of Love, that He is All-in-all, and that the Truth had made me free from uncleanness and drink. So I read on until I had read it through the second time. After this I met the donor of the book and received an invitation to attend the Sunday services.
I did so, and the calm, sweet peace which took possession of me, I shall never forget. The silent prayer seemed to lift me up into a higher sense of religion than I had ever known before. The Bible had a new meaning to me when read in connection with "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures."
Through the study of the text-book and other works by Mrs. Eddy I have been able to make some beautiful demonstrations of healing both of sin and disease in my family, and for myself. I have much to be thankful for, and I desire to prove it by my every-day life.
About two years ago I had occasion to go to Providence, R. I., and there I procured through a Scientist a situation in a large manufacturing company. In an unguarded moment, surrounded by a lot of fellow-workmen who used tobacco, especially at the noon hour, I took to the pipe again, after which an old claim of rheumatism made its appearance, for which I took treatment and was healed. Still I neglected the study of Science and Health, and did not attend the services of the church for some time, until I returned to the place where I first learned of Christian Science; then I came to myself. I saw I had been feeding on the husks instead of the corn. I was received with love and kindness by all the members of the church. I am demonstrating every day over evil of some kind and my path grows brighter and brighter, for I have the consciousness of an ever-present help in every time of need, and I feel grateful to our Leader for the Truth she has brought to me through Science and Health.
Franklin, Pa.
