In the fall of 1896 a Christian Science Journal was handed me by a lady member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, but after reading it I laid it aside and thought no more of it, and had forgotten it until the other day when I found the Journal among some old papers, and I now prize it very highly. About a year ago my wife purchased "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker G. Eddy, and asked me to read it. I tried to read it, but like many others, at the beginning failed, although not prejudiced, and threw the book down in disgust at not being able to understand its meaning. I had attended a lecture at the Third Church, and was invited to attend Sunday and Wednesday evening meetings, which I did, and then became more interested in the reading of Science and Health.
Before proceeding further, I wish to state that I have received no instruction in Christian Science healing, and all I know about it is what I have heard at the meetings and gained by reading the text-book, the Journal, the Sentinel, and other Science literature. I did take a few treatments for catarrhal deafness, with success, but made no attempt to inform my healer of any of my bad habits. The subject introduced at a Wednesday evening meeting at the Third Church by the Reader was, "Work out your own salvation," and that turned my thought in the right direction, and I started out on that plan. A short time after a demonstration further opened the way.
I will give the demonstration. I ran a pair of sharp-pointed tweezers through my thumb-nail, and did not know of anything to do or say. I could not repeat any prayer, and did not know how to treat. I had the Scientific Statement of Being written on a piece of paper in my vest pocket. I ran to my vest, read the Scientific Statement as written, and immediately returned to my work, the blood at the time spurting all over my hand. On my return I neither saw nor felt any ill effects, and never have to this day. I did not lose my finger-nail as on similar occasions before knowing of Christian Science. After that I attended church quite regularly, both Sundays and Wednesdays.
I had been a very hard user of tobacco for about thirty years, also of liquor, both of which appetites left me without notice. The liquor habit disappeared after one month's reading of the book, without treatment. The tobacco habit left me before I wished to have it. I was going to a lodge banquet, and expected a grand time and did not wish to give up smoking until after that date, but two weeks before the occasion I had smoked my last cigar. I had taken no treatment for these habits, nor for other immoral habits, such as swearing, gambling, etc., and all have entirely disappeared. I have no more desire for them.
I had almost forgotten to speak about the use of spectacles. For over eighteen years I had worn them. From early youth to about eighteen years ago I was troubled with my eyes. I had them examined by oculists, specialists, and professors, and they said I must have an operation, but I positively refused. At that time I secured a position in an Eastern city, and the work being close work for the eyes and at night, I was informed that I must use glasses. I bought a pair and used them until a few weeks ago. The first week I read Science and Health and bought my first Bible, I was able to read both books evenings without the aid of glasses, but was unable to do my work without them. A few ago my glasses were broken. I sent them to be repaired, and had to wait until the next morning for them. I continued my work the balance of the day (some three hours) without the glasses, and found I could see, and have not had them on since or even carried them in my pocket. In connection with my first Bible, it will be well to say a little about my religious demonstration.
From early boyhood to about my twentieth year I attended the Jewish synagogue, my father being rather orthodox in his views and my mother more reformed. I had not much chance to read or understand the Bible except at the public school, and then only to repeat some verses without any explanation. From that time to the present I do not recollect going inside a synagogue or any kind of church to worship more than once or twice, for over twenty years. It seems very strange, but now very pleasant, to me that I should have gone for the first time to worship God in a truthful way, as I now find it, in a synagogue (the Third Church of Christ, Scientist, were holding services in the Jewish Temple). The right and only way has been pointed out, and I may continue to gain understanding and wisdom, and work out my own salvation.
Chicago, Ill.
