Looking back over fourteen years, since the uplifting and healing truth of Christian Science came to me, and noting the footsteps which have shown me more and more of the compass of this Science of Life, certain experiences which have especially lighted my pathway and given me a higher understanding of God and our relation to Him, stand out in consciousness as helpful landmarks. One such experience came years ago in a Wednesday evening meeting in a western city where I was at that time living. The First Reader had asked for testimonies of gratitude, and one of those silent moments of waiting came which are always the result of fear or ingratitude in some form. The mesmerism was, however, suddenly broken by one of those loyal workers whose daily life was showing her realization of true obedience. Her simple message was, "Ceasing to give, ye cease to have, such is the law of love." These words were spoken with such loving understanding as to bring an instant result, and the speaker had not taken her seat before at least three persons were standing ready to bear testimony to wonderful healings through Christian Science, and throughout the meeting there was perfect freedom, where fear and silence had reigned. It was then that I saw, in a light which has never left me, the necessity of giving out constantly that which we are continually receiving if we wish to grow in understanding, and I cannot longer withhold an expression of gratitude.
Some years ago while at college I found myself yielding to an organic heart trouble of a serious nature, supposed to have been inherited. I had from my earliest childhood been boastful of health and strength, and felt that the life of an invalid was worse than death; so I made every effort not to yield to this ailment and firmly resolved not to let my family know of my condition, but to live it down by will-power. In this I was successful for a few weeks, but at last my roommate became so uneasy because of the constant battle she knew I was fighting, that she told me she could not keep my secret any longer, but must write to my father, if I would not. I well remember the fearful disappointment which came when at last there was but one course to take, and that was to leave college, my young friends, and go home. Soon after reaching home I had congestion of the lungs, which left me with an irritating cough and a sore spot in one lung that gave me constant pain. Following this was the long, sleepless nights when the only rest I knew came but for a few minutes at a time, when I was in a sitting position and resting my head upon pillows placed in front of me. Then came congestion of the kidneys, and after ten days of intense suffering and inability to take food, the physicians in attendance, for whose interest and loving care I shall never cease to be grateful, told my family they did not see how I could live twenty-four hours, as blood poisoning had set in.
Some weeks before this a very dear aunt living near us had received from a friend in a distant city a copy of Science and Health. This aunt, who was a thorough Bible student, had expressed, in the presence of this friend, a deep yearning for a higher understanding of Christ's teachings, which she felt were not fully understood. We are told in Science and Health, page 2, that "the desire which goes forth hungering after righteousness is blessed of our Father and it does not return unto us void." Surely these words were proven true when my aunt's friend met a Christian Scientist, and, after a talk with her, knew that the teaching contained in Science and Health was the light for which my aunt was seeking. The seed fell on good ground, as from the first reading she was brought out of the gloom of a deep sorrow through which she was passing, was illuminated with joy and happiness, and could at once help those about her.
