My first experience in Christian Science came some ten years since. I had for years been a sufferer from what doctors called sciatic rheumatism. During that time I had sought relief through many material means. I had been under the care of several physicians, who tried faithfully to cure me, with varying success. After exhausting various methods, I was advised to try the hot springs, which proved to be but a temporary respite from suffering, after which I became convinced that this was all I could hope for.
In the year 1892 my wife became interested in Christian Science through the healing of her sister by this means of a severe case of cancer of the stomach, after which, she bought Science and Health and began the study of the subject. She soon tried to interest me in the book, but I would have none of it. Being influenced no doubt by false reports in regard to it, I was disposed to hold aloof. In time, however, I began reading the book, and found logical teaching therein; yet I clung fast to the old way, seeking in materiality a cure for its discords, and although one remedy after another failed to bring even temporary relief, yet I stubbornly refused to try Christian Science. But the time came when in utter despair I gave up the struggle, saying, ''I care not what it is, whether it be of God, man, or Satan, I will do anything to get relief."
The same evening my wife called on a Christian Science practitioner and asked to have treatment for me. On returning, she informed me that I would have absent treatment that night, and that the practitioner would see me the following day. Those who have passed through the ordeal of sleepless nights of suffering, may have a faint conception of my great surprise and relief, when I found I had slept soundly the entire night, waking in the morning with all sense of pain and suffering entirely gone. In a few days I considered myself healed, and had the treatment discontinued, feeling that I was a new man. So great was the re-action, that I passed from despair to a confidence far beyond my understanding, I found myself reasoning thus: Now if this is of God, God is on my side, and I am safe to do as I like. My security was, however, of short duration, for I soon seemed to be in the power of my old enemy again. Seeing this, my wife asked, "What will you do now?" to which I replied, "I know what helped me before and will cling to it still." Treatment was again asked for, and in a few days the healing was completed, and with the healing there came a desire to know something of that which was so strong to deliver.
