When I first heard of Christian Science, I was attracted to it at once by the beauty of its thought and the logic of its reasoning. I was not suffering at that time, except with a restlessness in regard to religion, as I often wondered why our religion was not more practical, and if we were to obey the Gospel command to heal the sick. The reading of the Scriptures in the light of Christian Science was a new and pleasant experience. It took away from them the sense of mystery and unreality which they had before held for me, and gave them, instead, the sense of being the actual Word of a loving Father to His own children,—the message of "On earth peace, good will toward men."
Afterwards, not having sufficient understanding of the truth to make practical use of it, I rather let it alone for some months, merely reading a little of the literature occasionally. But Truth demanded that I should prove my belief; and later on I became very ill,—so low, indeed, that I was given up to die. I tried medicine, diet, and hygienic living, but only continued to sink lower and lower, until there seemed to be nothing left for me to do but to pass away. I had no further use for myself, and did not see how any one else could have any use for me.
When I came near to what is called death, however, I found myself face to face with eternal Life, and knew from that time that there is nothing gained by dying, and that death is not a part of the plan and purpose of a God of infinite Life and Love. I prayed that if there were a Divine purpose in connection with my existence, it might be revealed to me,—at the same time giving up all material remedies, believing firmly that Christian Science was right, although I had little faith in my own power to practise it.
One day, while reading, I came across the following old Saxon proverb: "Doe ye nexte thynge," and I knew as soon as I read it, that was God's message to me, and so it has since been proved. I began then to "do the "next thing" that I could see needed to be done, and that was within my then limited power of action. I soon found that while doing what I could with a willing mind, I was given power to do more; and little by little I gained strength and confidence.
I then began to read Christian Science literature with the hope and belief that it could be made practically useful in my case, and I was not disappointed. I read while at my meals and at any other time when I felt inclined, and gained sufficient inspiration and comfort from it to carry me through each day's work. I found that as the condition of my mentality improved, just so fast did my body respond and manifest health and strength, proving to me beyond a doubt that we may safely and joyfully follow the teaching of the apostle Paul in this regard, which says, "Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." It was proved to me also that all sickness is the result of sin in some form, because I found that, as my secret faults were one by one uncovered and destroyed, my bodily ailments one by one disappeared, bringing to mind the merciful reassurance of Jesus' own words to the sick in his day: "Thy sins be forgiven thee," "go in peace."
Since then there has been a steady growth in the knowledge of spiritual things, and the blessings which have followed are beyond all estimate. The more deep and systematic my study of Christian Science, the more I appreciate the unselfish and beautiful life-work of our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, and the stronger becomes the desire to make my own life such that I may realize in part what she has seen and known.
I can but give thanks for the help received through our Journal and Sentinel, and especially for our Leader's work in framing and revising the By-laws for the Church and Sunday School, for there has been no case in which guidance was needed that it was not found at the right time.
I can now look back over the past with a thankful heart, and see that I was being led and guided by the hand of infinite Love. Although at times I have been through deep and troubled waters, I know that the experience has done me good, and brought me out each time on a higher plane of understanding and power.
Winnipeg, Man.
