Ever since I can remember I have been striving to "be good." I am grateful to Christian Science for enabling me to read my Bible more understandingly. I did not come to Christian Science through the healing of body ills, for, to mortal sense, I was well and had always been free from any serious sicknesses, but I know now that my healing was of just as much import to me, for I am being healed of self-will, self-importance, self-love, and self-righteousness, and am learning to know God, "whom to know aright is Life eternal" (Science and Health, Pref. p. vii).
I grew up "painfully conscientious," hedging myself about by church duties and forbidding myself many things that other people seemed to enjoy innocently; thinking that thereby I was doing God service. When I found the truth in Christian Science I gladly laid down this burden of self-imposed religious effort. I was about ten years at hard labor in the church, and now I have been growing in the sunshine of divine Love about five years. Such joy, such peace, such rest was mine when my burden rolled away! Then came a time for action, and I cheerfully and trustingly followed where God led. It took me many miles from my former home but it brought me to class instruction, and I have never lacked for any good thing. I have had the privilege of helping a number of people out of disease and distress to health and happiness. Every suggestion of sickness to myself has been met with Christian Science.
I appreciate the work of our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, more and more as I grow to understand it. I can see how important her instructions are, for when we obey them we get Christian Science by "seeing" instead of "suffering" for obedience does awaken the understanding. After my class instruction there was much that I did faithfully, simply to be obedient. The little spiritual plant thus tended, grew until its influence began to permeate every thought and action.
