Eight years ago I was healed in Christian Science of so-called incurable diseases and of many evil habits; of heart trouble dating from childhood, one member of our family having died from this trouble at the age of twenty years. Forty-two years ago I was given exemption from army duty by the army surgeon on account of hypertrophy of the heart, as named in the certificate, signifying enlarged muscles of that organ. For more than forty years I had to be bolstered up at a sharp angle when sleeping, and was filled with fear and constant suffering. I had the tobacco and drink habits, and used profanity from youth; but I was relieved of all this in a few days. Here I wish to mention that I did not know anything about Christian Science, never thinking that it could heal, or pretended to heal evil habits,—tobacco, drinking, and profanity,—I was looking for freedom from pain and fear. In about three days I discovered that the tobacco did not have the usual effect, and I began to forget about it. It was the same way with the drink habit, I forgot it also, but the profanity I did think about. Formerly, when conversing, if I, from habit, used a bad word, I would have to go back over the whole sentence, as it seemed to stop all conversation, and my tongue cleaved to the roof of the mouth, I was so confused. After coming into Christian Science all this was done without the least effort on my part. I did not even know or think what was being done. I had tried every way to give up profanity, but it would always return again. The tobacco and drink habits I did not then want to give up. I considered them a privilege.
I was greatly relieved of rheumatism of several years' standing. I suffered so much from stiff and swollen joints and sore muscles that I could hardly walk. I was told by the doctors that if the rheumatism should get near the heart it would be all over with me. "Fearful living and doleful dying" (Science and Health, p. 203). For these physical ailments I had been doctored for many years and had taken much medicine. What could not be taken inside was put on the outside in the way of blistering plasters and burning caustics, and at one time I was bled in the arm until I fainted away. At times I had lumbago which was said to be hereditary, but of this I have had no further experience since taking treatment. I was transformed by the renewing of the mind, as Paul says. A new heaven and a new earth was appearing, and for a time I was as one who listened to the most strange and beautiful music, heaven and earth all harmonious, and angels and men sang in this grand chorus praising God in the highest. For about eight years this experience has cheered me, and shall I not be thankful to God for Christian Science and to its Discoverer and Founder, Mrs. Eddy, for her faithfulness and love.
Since this new birth I have done nothing but read, study, and practise Christian Science. My first demonstration shows that we can do nothing of ourselves. It was an unconscious one. I visited a distant city and took a book compiled from the Bible to sell. One morning I called on a Scientist, introduced my book, and after some talk she said that she would not take it at that time, but that over in the next house was a sick woman, and I might try to sell her one. I called, rang the bell, and a tall, sad-faced person answered. The door only partly opened, but she at once said she had no money to buy books. I told her that this book might benefit her, and then commenced to explain that this book contained the words of one who has been called, "The Only Physician." The door opened, I stepped in, continuing the talk, and mentioned that her neighbor had sent me to her. "Why," she said, "she is a Christian Scientist, I don't have anything to do with that." I replied, "Did you ever try it? I have," and then we talked for about three hours, principally upon the subject of healing. Her husband came in later and she said to him, "This man is a Christian Scientist," to which he answered, "We don't have anything to do with that," but he listened, and finally concluded to buy the book. In about a month I went to deliver the picture which is given with the book, but which had been delayed, and as I rang the bell and the door opened wide, there stood before me, instead of the emaciated, sad-faced woman, a cheerful, bright-faced person. "Is this the lady to whom I sold a book?" I asked, and she said, "Yes, what did you do to me? did you treat me?" "No," I replied, "I am not a practitioner,' and then she told me she had not been sick one moment since I left. Then I discovered what healed the sick, "He sent his word, and healed them." She is now a member of a Christian Science Church. This was several years ago, and I have taken class instruction since.
