As I look back over the four years that I have been in Christian Science and realize the peace and happiness which have been mine during this time, I feel that I want to express to the world my gratitude. All during my life I had been in bondage to fear, so much so that I was afraid of everybody and everything. This same fear made me a hopeless sufferer and many times prostrated me completely. Only those who have suffered in this way can know how I feel when I say that Christian Science has delivered me absolutely from this condition; and now if any discordant condition arises, I can go forth fearlessly to meet it, knowing that through Christian Science I have the understanding to overcome it, and to exercise that dominion which God gave to man,— his rightful inheritance as God's image and likeness.
This fear began to disappear by degrees as I realized more fully that God is Love; that Love is infinite, filling all space, for infinity includes all. Then I began to see that there is nothing outside of divine Love, and that as fear is no part of Him it has only a fabulous existence. To realize that God did not condemn His children to eternal punishment, was an awakening which brought with it peace and strength. I saw, however, that the belief in evil punishes itself hourly and daily, and that it was this belief alone which had to be cast out, because, in admitting its presence or power, we were denying the omnipotence and omnipresence of God, and thus we were breaking the first commandment.
My first knowledge of Christian Science came to me when I saw my husband healed, but even this evidence was not sufficient to make me turn to Christian Science. Although I had absolute proof in this instance, I was obliged to have my own suffering before I would put my whole trust in God. This was soon required of me. I fell coming downstairs and broke my ankle. A physician was called, and my foot and ankle were put into a plaster cast and remained in this for ten weeks, when it was removed. I then found that my foot was absolutely useless. Crutches were gotten for me, and for seven months I was obliged to use them. My foot did not improve, so my physician took me to a hospital where one of the leading surgeons of this city examined my ankle and foot, and he said that I would never have the same use of them again, but suggested my wearing iron braces, saying, "With these you can at least walk a little." I got the braces and wore them for six weeks, but my foot became worse instead of better,— the pain becoming unbearable.
