I lived for several years with a copy of Science and Health in my home, without ever opening its covers, although my parents were interested in Christian Science. During a part of this time I was in a town where a Christian Science church is located and where services are held regularly, but before taking treatment I had attended only two Christian Science services.
In the spring of 1902 I attended a lecture on Christian Science which I felt was the most sensible discourse I had ever heard on any religious subject. At this time I was suffering slightly from inflammatory rheumatism, an attack of which I had experienced several years before. A few days after the lecture my rheumatism rapidly grew worse, and I soon became helpless. I spent one night of sleepless agony, and the next day sent for a Christian Science practitioner. After the first treatment I was able to stand and to take a few steps without assistance. I thought then that I would be perfectly well in a day or two, but I was disappointed in this. My healing was slow, and at times it seemed discouraging, but after I first asked for Christian Science treatment I never spent a sleepless night. I never doubted that I would be cured, and I was cured absolutely. I have since had many proofs of the power of the real over the unreal.
I feel very grateful for the benefit Christian Science has been to me, and I am especially grateful for our literature.
