A friend has asked me to write my experience for the Journal and I am very glad to do so if it can be of benefit to any one seeking for health and happiness along the lines of Christian Science.
I was in "bondage to the flesh" for many years, suffering intensely from rheumatism. For seven years before I came to California I can scarcely recall a day when I was free from pain. I had been under the care of several physicians, among them two specialists, but I received only temporary relief; in fact, could see that I was gradually growing worse. My fear of being a cripple was very great, as I then had a strong belief in heredity, and thought I was going to be like an aunt who, for twelve years, had been confined to a wheel-chair with this same trouble. I had no hope of being well again, and thought there was nothing left for me but to be "resigned to the will of God," which at that time meant that I must be patient under the affliction which He sent upon me, and live and suffer my "appointed time."
About two years ago we came to California, hoping the climate would be beneficial, as that seemed to be my only hope. A friend in Ohio sent word to me that I did not need to go to California to be healed. I understood what she meant, as I knew her to be a Christian Scientist, but I was so prejudiced that I was unwilling to try it there. I thought, in my ignorance, that I would rather suffer than try that remedy, my only idea of it being that it might be good for imaginary troubles, and I then believed mine to be real.
At first I was so delighted with my surroundings that I did not think much about my rheumatism, but before I had been in Pasadena three months the old pain came back with renewed force. I had lost all faith in materia medica, and it was only after learning the lesson that there was no help for me in climate, that I turned, discouraged and heartsick, to Christian Science. A friend had spoken so assuringly when I asked if it could really help me, that I determined to take treatment at once, although I had but little faith in it. I did receive benefit, and very soon became more interested in trying to understand the Principle which was doing the work than I did in the effect. I looked forward eagerly to the hour when I could take my treatment; and the long talks with my healer, who so kindly and patiently endeavored to point out the way, were among my happiest moments. My healing seemed very slow to me at the time, but as I look back on it now, it seems just the reverse, realizing how much had to be overcome. In two months I was able to make my demonstrations, and for more than a year have been perfectly well. I was able about this time to lay aside glasses, which I had worn for several years for severe nervous headaches caused by astigmatism, a law having been laid down for me by one of the best oculists in Boston, that I must wear them constantly during my natural lifetime.
I was taught from childhood that God is Love,—that He did not create evil,—but I somehow believed He permitted it for our good, and these things were never satisfactorily explained to me until I learned the truth in Christian Science. In giving up some of the old beliefs, God seemed for a time to be farther away from me, but when my consciousness awoke to the "risen Christ" I was indeed most happy, and began, in a small degree, to comprehend the "divine Principle, underlying, overlying, and encompassing all true Being" (Science and Health, p. 496).
We have had many beautiful demonstrations of the power of this blessed Truth in the past year, and do know that no one can be healed physically without being uplifted spiritually and made better in every way.
I can never fully express my thankfulness to God for leading me into Christian Science, and my heart goes out in gratitude to our Leader, who, through her tender love and life of self-sacrifice, has revealed this Truth to the world and thus made it possible for us to understand and demonstrate the healing power as taught by our Saviour.
Los Angeles, Cal..
