I have received so much benefit, physically, mentally, and spiritually, within the past ten years by simply obeying the "still, small voice" which spoke to me, that I have learned to obey without questioning. Less than ten years ago, inharmony and chaos reigned in my life and I knew not which way to turn or how to extricate myself. I was suffering from many ailments and had grown very much disgusted with all that materia medica had tried and failed to do for me, and would simply try no more. At that time I was traveling as the representative of a New York drug house, meeting about three hundred and fifty physicians each trip, in the line of trade. The thought surrounding me constantly was disease and its remedies, discussed pro and con. In a fit of desperation, on one trip home, I called on a Christian Science practitioner, stated my many ailments to her, and commenced treatment. She advised me to read Science and Health, but I did not say I would get a copy as I considered it one of the dullest books I had ever tried to read, when I had previously looked it over. I thought, however, as I left the office, Now if a physician had given me a prescription to be filled in connection with his treatment I should certainly heed him, and although I begrudged the money, I got a copy and took it with me.
Each day I read a little. At first words, mere words, and then here and there a thought would appeal to me. Finally, I became considerably interested. All this time I was still holding my position under materia medica, which was conflicting more and more with what I read and thought. I was improving slowly but surely under Science, and now I see why I was held. Had I been healed at once I should never have come into the spiritual understanding I have since attained. Many times, what we consider a grievous affliction is but the leading of divine Love, and I am glad and thankful that I was led in just the way I was. Of course my work could but seriously conflict with my new line of thought, my new understanding, and I began seriously to contemplate giving it up. As it was a lucrative position, and I knew I could not easily place myself so well again, I hesitated. About the time when I was so perplexed this passage of Scripture kept recurring to me over and over, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Several times in the night I would waken and almost hear these words. At last they so impressed me that I resigned my position and came home. It was now about five months since I had turned to Christian Science, and although I was helped in many ways I was not entirely free from all physical troubles. I had been able to dispense with glasses which I had worn for years and was cured of all the pain and suffering I had endured from my eyes. A severe stomach trouble was overcome, and not the least by any means, locomotor ataxia in the incipient stages was almost gone, and in a short time afterwards, when I was permitted to receive class instruction, it entirely disappeared.
And now comes the reward for obedience, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness," said the "still, small voice." We are told that "the kingdom of God is within you." In other words, bring yourself into harmony with the infinite, put out of your life all that is not Christlike, and all things are yours, and so I have found it; by heeding this I have been led directly into the Science work. Before I was through class the work came to me in a beautiful case of impersonal healing, and from that time on I have been permitted to see many, many demonstrations of the power of this healing truth over error.
