My experience in Christian Science has, from the first taste of Truth, been most practical and satisfying, and it is not easy to explain to myself just why I have so long withheld the "just acknowledgment" which our revered Leader says in Science and Health "is an effectual help" (Science and Health, p. 372). It may be that I have delayed sending my testimony, hoping for something wonderful to tell, when, as a matter of. fact, if the position I occupied four years before I knew anything of Christian Science were contrasted with my present attainments, the transformation, through the renewing of the mind, would seem nothing short of miraculous. Moreover it seems to me now that even the simplest demonstration of the efficacy of divine Love, as taught in Christian Science, if related exactly as it occurred, without embellishment, is fraught with mighty interest to hearts hungering after better conditions. It was just such a simple testimony as this, given in broken English at a Wednesday evening meeting in this city, that first turned my thought definitely to Christian Science.
Four years ago I came to this city and began the practice of osteopathy. Very soon my wife, who had been interested in Christian Science long before, persuaded me to accompany her to a Wednesday evening meeting, and there I heard testimonies given of such a sincere and practical character, that I was at once led to hope that Christian Science might have something in it for me. Following the light thus gained, I began that night to study Science and Health and other writings of Mrs. Eddy, together with the literature of The Christian Science Publishing Society, which had been in the house for some time, but which up to this time had excited hardly a passing interest. Soon, however, I discerned, though faintly at first, that Christian Science had most desirable things to impart which I could not hope to reach with my present methods. I easily learned by regular attendance upon the services that the Scientists were able to do vastly more for their patients than I could do for mine; then the thought came, "Why hold to the inferior way when a better one is beginning to dawn; why not have the best?"
The conviction grew to such sturdy proportions through the continued study of the Christian Science text-book that in less than a year I abandoned my osteopathic practice, which was then giving some promise from a material point of view. I had no sooner taken my sign down from my residence and office than error fairly screamed in our ears that our bread and butter was surely gone forever; however, with the understanding we had gained thus far, we were able to give the lie to this error, and since then there has been the gaining "a little each day in the right direction" (Science and Health, p. 21). Most of the time meanwhile has been spent in material occupation, so-called, until to-day we feel that we have an opportunity to join the reapers in the fields that are white for the harvest. We have received untold blessings all along the way, many of which have seemed to come to us so easily and naturally that I am afraid we have not at all times remembered to "return and give thanks" promptly.
