When I decided to give Christian Science a trial, three years ago, I was almost a wreck, physically and mentally. I took up the study of Science and Health, wrote for absent treatment, and in less than two weeks felt like a different woman—hardly knew myself—light-hearted, happy, able to work—something I had not been able to do most of the winter. I was taken up on the mount of transfiguration, but like the disciples of old, had to come down again, to work my way up the narrow path step by step, if I would follow the footsteps and commands of the Master, Christ Jesus.
Were all the claims met at once? No; not by any means. As I wrote my healer (whom I had never seen) I was diseased from head to foot, hardly an organ in my body that did not seem to be diseased or affected, besides general nervous debility. I had never seen a well day in all my life, some of the chronic claims having kept me company from childhood up. I was subject to very severe and frequent attacks of headache, both sick and nervous, mainly caused by my eyes, as I was told in later years.
Then for years I wore glasses, both smoked and clear, for far-sightedness, astigmatism, weakness, etc. They were quite a relief, and I thought and was told I could never again do without them; even then I had to be careful about using my eyes, and for a long time could not read at all. In addition to the annoyance of the glasses, their use was quite expensive, for they were never really satisfactory, and had frequently to be changed.
Just a few months before learning of the Truth, I spent about ten dollars in this way. Eight months later I laid the glasses aside, and have not had them on since. I write, sew, and can read, day or night, without any unpleasant effects. Then there were chronic throat trouble and catarrh, palpitation of the heart I had had a long time, and the last winter heart failure set in. Many a night in my wakefulness (for insomnia almost drove me mad in the six years that I was subject to it), I thought I should never see the morning of another day. Many other troubles caused much suffering; cramps in the lower limbs caused the deformity of two toes, one on each foot, causing me untold agony when obliged to be on my feet; then there were piles, liver and kidney complaint, etc. But why enumerate any more? Most of them have been entirely overcome, the few still lingering made bearable and are "working patience" in me.
I was constantly using material remedies, if not under a physician's care, always dieting and a perfect slave to hygiene. Now I eat and drink what I like, can walk for miles, and pay no attention whatever to the laws (so called) of mortal mind. Am much improved mentally.
Studying the Bible Lessons helps to unfold the spiritual meaning of the Bible, which I always longed for. Although the Bible was a closed book, I had much of the letter by heart. I was brought up in the church, and was an active worker in the Lutheran and Congregational churches. But the longing for something higher, for the Truth that shall make free, as Jesus said, was always with me.
Let us not feel discouraged if our progress seems slow, but remember how long we were in this bondage, and follow the command of our Saviour: "Work, watch, and pray." I am very thankful to God for sending His son, to help us out of this darkness into the Light, and to Mrs. Eddy and all who help to reveal the Truth.
Hutchinson, Minn.
