In the spring of 1898 a lady told me how she had been helped by Christian Science, and through her testimony, I was led into Science.
I was very ill at the time, the result of an accident which occurred years before, having been thrown from a horse, and receiving internal injuries, from which the doctor said I would suffer all my life. Following the accident came short attacks of sickness and pain. My stomach, kidneys, and gall bladder, were much weakened from inflammation. As I grew older the attacks were more frequent and more severe, until I never was really free from pain.
One doctor after another was tried, but all they could do was to give morphine. The physicians were all very kind to me, and I shall always be grateful to them, but they could not heal me. The last doctor I had, told me never to eat potatoes in any way, nor fresh bread. The few things I could eat, did not agree with me. I can never tell anybody the sufferings I endured from pain and weakness, yet I clung to my God, feeling sure that He loved me.
Brought up by Christian parents, Scotch Presbyterians, as a child I was taught Scriptural texts. The first to be memorized was "God is Love," and was explained to me, that as God's child He loved me. I could not understand how I could be God's child and be sick, and no minister of the gospel could explain this to me.
Still, never doubting His love, and knowing that some day this would be made plain to me, I heard of Christian Science for the first time, and decided to try it.
With fear and trembling I was left alone with the practitioner. I said, "I don't think I will have a treatment after all, because I may be drifting away from God, and I would rather suffer and stay with Him, than be healed without God."
I shall never forget the wisdom and kindness the practitioner showed in answering me. "If you are healed, it will be by God, not by me," she said.
My answer was, "I am ready for whatever God has in store for me."
When she bowed her head, I bowed my head and heart before my God, and thought: "Whatever of God's Truth is in Christian Science I want, and only His Truth." Perfect rest and peace fell upon me, and my thoughts were so filled with the allness of God, that I was uplifted and strengthened in a way which I cannot describe. The words came to me, "This is God's work, and it is His peace that fills me." "And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever." I never doubted from that moment but that the God of the Bible was the Christian Science God.
The practitioner told me to eat whatever was set before me, and have no fear. At dinner time I told my husband, and he thought that sounded sensible. I ate a large hot biscuit, a baked potato, and some pork. That night I slept soundly, something unusual for months.
The next day came the second treatment. Thinking I had received such a blessing the first treatment, the second day I looked for a greater, and received it, for the pain I had had for so many years was taken away and I have not had it since. Now I know that in Truth that pain never existed. Christian Science has taught me what God is. He is a God of love.
Many beautiful demonstrations have been made in our home the past three years, and I have never had such good health.
I am glad to say that I am a member of the Christian Science Church here. Last fall I had the privilege of class instruction by one of Mrs. Eddy's loyal students. From the first Science and Health has been a very precious book to me.
The peace, strength, and spiritual uplifting gained will he an everlasting blessing to me, not to keep for myself alone but to live daily, so that the Master may use me to help others who are weary and heavy laden.
San Francisco, Cal.
