Science and Health was a revelation to me, and the reading of it was a joy unalloyed. Life was no longer a worried, wearisome existence, but freedom, peace, repose. Its pages were luminous with the light of Truth. "The mystery of godliness" was revealed in the effulgence of Divine Love; I was lifted up into a higher life.
In my ignorance I reached out for information in all directions, and gathered in books and pamphlets from various authors, treating, as I supposed, of Christian Science. After reading this promiscuous collection, I was, to my infinite dismay, cast down from my high estate into a veritable pit of gloom, darkness, and despair; for they had taken away my Lord, and I knew not where they had laid him. I was rudderless, drifting on the black sea of error, all the old beliefs from which I had been freed for many years took possession of me; the mental agony was intolerable. Indeed, Satan had bound me.
Though this condition was severe and continued through several months, I never gave up my reading Science and Health, if not more than a page or a paragraph each day. I was convinced it contained the pearl of great price, if my search were only deep enough to find it. Earnestly and sincerely I prayed to be lifted out of the perturbed and unhappy state into which I had fallen.
One day, weary and hopeless, I was walking beside one of our mountain streams gazing into its crystal clearness, when the "Peace, be still!" came again to my troubled heart. The gloom, fear, doubt, and despair which enveloped me like a pall, vanished, and I was restored to my rightful heritage of harmony. That night I slept peacefully, for the Truth had come to me and blessed me with its healing balm. Ignorantly I had strayed from the true shepherd and the rightful fold, and dearly had I paid the penalty therefor.
I learned from what I suffered that there is no looking to the right nor the left, for "strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber."
"Truth has furnished the key to the kingdom, and with this key Christian Science has opened the door of the human understanding. None may pick the lock, or enter by some other door" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker G. Eddy, p. 264).
The Bible and Science and Health have been my companions for the past twelve years. Daily I drink of their life-giving waters, and am ever refreshed and strengthened. We have entered the bright path and will not look back, but press patiently on. Clad in the shining armor we are ready for the foe that would intercept our upward path; and we will bravely endeavor, as our beloved Leader counsels, "in hope and faith ... to impress humanity with the genuine recognition of practical, operative Christian Science" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 207).
Gunnison, Cal.
