It is now almost three years since I first received any correct idea of Christian Science. While engaged in a manufacturing business in Columbus, Ohio, care, work, and worry, to which was added a severe shock from the fall of an elevator, brought on a pronounced case of nervous prostration. I consulted my regular physician and was greatly surprised when he frankly told me that medicine would not benefit me. He advised me to go immediately to some quiet place, drop all thoughts of business, and that with rest and quiet I might possibly recover soon, but that it might require a year before I would be in condition to resume my occupation. Having selected an ideal place of banishment, I left behind me the care of business, while I sought health in this retreat and diligently and obediently followed his instructions. In a few weeks I seemed better, returned home, but found that the apparent improvement was a delusion, and I immediately went back to my former retreat.
While absent on my first enforced exile, Christian Science was presented to my wife, and a kind lady loaned me a copy of Science and Health, which I took with me on my second journey. I read the book entirely through without perceiving its great truth. In a dim. hazy manner I saw some of its possibilities, but it appeared to me visionary and Utopian. I now see the reason for my failure to grasp its truth and beauty. It seemed necessary for such an unbeliever in the Bible as I was, to drink more deeply of the dregs of disease, so that ultimately I might have uncontrovertible evidence of the healing power of Truth in the place where that disease originated and not in the place selected for its cure. Again I returned to my home, and again I found the sense-evidences of benefits received at my place of exile to be delusive. I was worse both mentally and physically. My wife, in despair, urged me to try Christian Science. I stubbornly refused for several days to seek that help, but finally, to satisfy her, I consented to allow a practitioner to call. I shall never forget my unreasoning attitude toward this kind lady who brought me the message of deliverance, nor can I forget the wisdom, patience, and kindness with which she met my sullen prejudice. After the consultation I asked for the treatment, so that when Christian Science had failed, I might remind my wife, "I told you so." This treatment was continued for three weeks, and I, of course, in such a resistful frame of mind received no benefit. Only after hard persuasion on the part of relatives was I induced to continue treatment for another week. On Thursday, of what I had decided to be the last week of treatment, a lady called to see me, and we entered into a discussion of the merits and demerits, principally the latter, of Christian Science, and in our profound mortal wisdom and self-satisfaction we effectually annihilated all the arguments advanced in Science and Health.
After her departure I was much worse, but in a rational moment it came to me, in "a still, small voice," how carefully, obediently, and uncomplainingly I had followed my physician's instructions, and how stubbornly I was resisting my present helper. I then resolved that for the few remaining days of treatment I would, by every means in my power, assist the lady who was so patiently seeking to help me. Having so decided. I retired for the night, immediately fell into a sound sleep, and arose the next morning perfectly well.
