I first heard of Christian Science during the summer of 1896, through the healing of a friend. Knowing that its followers claimed the power to heal the sick to be of God, I urged my mother to try it, as she had been suffering from eczema for several years. She was healed after eight treatments.
I did not give it much further attention, as I was worldly in my tendencies.
In August, 1897, I became so weak that it seemed to me I suffered everything but death. Yet in my disease I sought not the Lord, but the physicians. The weakness was followed by over-action of the bowels, for which I consulted four medical doctors; one of these, who is considered of the best in Flushing, said, "It has been of so long standing that I don't know that I can do anything for it."
Although not confined to my bed, I was not able to do any work, walk, or ride any distance without paying for it dearly. I gradually grew weaker and lost in weight more than thirty pounds. Nearly all my hair came out. I suffered from night sweats, chills, and vomiting.
This condition continued until March, when, in my despair, I decided to try Christian Science. This was on Monday. With the decision I began to improve, and on Thursday I rode a distance of twenty-seven miles to call on a Scientist for treatment, and did not suffer any inconvenience from the ride. The next evening I walked half a mile. After the first treatment, I had no sweats, only one chill, which was very light, and vomited but a very few times. After having five weeks' treatment, my healer said, "I do not think you need any more treatment for the present."
I purchased Science and Health, commenced reading, and continued to improve, but the trouble with my bowels did not yield, and in August, 1898, I had a week's treatment for that. Thus disappeared the last landmark of error. I tried to grasp the spiritual import of Christian Science, but having a sense of self-condemnation and not being wholly willing to come out from the world and be separate, the letter seemed but a dead body.
Truly, "'Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.' He who knows God's will, and the demands of Divine Science, and yet refuses obedience thereto, shall be beaten with many stripes" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker G. Eddy). During the last summer I was afflicted with a lame back, and had to call for further treatment.
I now realize that "Love is not hasty to deliver us from temptation, for Love means that we shall be tried and purified" (Science and Health, p. 327). My husband is with me in Science. We have the Sunday services in our home. There were eighteen present at the first meeting. A considerable number are becoming interested in the literature. I feel as did the Psalmist, that "It is good that I have been afflicted."
Chesaning, Mich.
