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.
