For a long time I have felt it a duty to write of the wonderful help I have received through Christian Science. When I first heard of Science I was a physical wreck, and had been told by several physicians that I could never be well. I had such a complication of diseases that I sometimes wondered if there were very many that I did not have. Some of my ailments were heart trouble, nervous prostration, weak lungs, hemorrhoids, and stomach trouble. I had exhausted materia medica and had declared I would never take any more medical treatment or have any more operations performed, as I had undergone several.
I seemed to have reached "man's extremity," when a friend said, "You will have to try Christian Science and get well as I did." This was the first time that I knew she was interested in Science. She loaned me Science and Health that evening, and I read till midnight. It all seemed very reasonable to me, but I would not take treatment till I learned more about it. I had always disliked fads and thought this might be one. After reading nearly two weeks and finding nothing I could object to, I began treatment, and in three weeks was like a new being. After the first treatment I left off glasses that I had worn constantly for two years. I have never had them on since and my sight is perfect.
One demonstration I wish to speak of in particular. Nearly two years ago my husband, little boy, and myself went with a party of nearly three hundred railroad people on an excursion to California. On our return our train collided with a freight train. I was thrown forward and had three ribs broken, beside a badly sprained back. I was unconscious a few minutes, and when I came to, all was confusion, and of course several thought I must have a doctor. I did not want one but we decided it best to let the physician make an examination, which she did. The physician was a lady in our party, the company's surgeon not having arrived yet. She said I had three broken ribs, but the worst was my back which was badly sprained. She said it would be impossible for me to go on home, but that on our arrival at Salt Lake City I should be taken to a hospital and stay at least four weeks. The accident happened about noon on Thursday and we were delayed some time. My husband telegraphed a practitioner in Kansas City as soon as he could, and then he and my little boy treated me. In an hour the pain was nearly gone and I was easy. I rested very well that night, although we were traveling through mountains. All the next day I was comfortable but kept quiet. We reached Salt Lake City at about five in the afternoon and all our party left the train. While they were gone I got up and dressed and walked the length of the sleeping car, and when the people returned I was sitting up. When the doctor saw me she held up her hands in amazement and said she wanted to examine my back again to be sure she had not been mistaken the first time. She did so, but said the ribs were certainly broken and that she could not understand how I could get up or down or move around. It is enough to say I came on with the party, reaching home four days after the accident. I went right on with my housework, and the following Saturday had a niece come to visit me. She could not believe I had ever been hurt. I have never felt any ill effects from the hurt, and one week after I was as well as ever. We have had so many proofs of the truth of Christian Science that it would be hard to choose about which to tell. We find it to be an ever-present help. I think it the grandest thing in the world to teach children. Words cannot express our gratitude to our Leader and our kind helper for showing us this good way.— Olathe, Kan.
