Is it necessary to believe in Christian Science, in order to receive help from it? Let me briefly relate my experience and the query will thus be answered. About the year 1890 I had an attack of that then comparatively new disease, the grip, which resulted in the beginning of a physical decline from a previous condition of unusually vigorous health. In December, 1892, an attack of pleuro-pneumonia resulted in my being ordered, a few months later, to the dry desert country of Arizona, to overcome the ravages of consumption,—both lungs being seriously affected, so my physician afterward told me, and three months being fixed as my span of life. Despite this verdict I lived, or continued to exist, my condition for years hardly being entitled to the name living. I had been trained to respect all religious belief, and taught that an all-wise God ruled over our destinies and visited punishment upon mankind for sins committed; but my endeavor had been to lead a decent life, and I could not understand why I should be thus punished, nor could I understand why even greater punishment—loss of the family bread-winner—was to be visited upon my wife and children, who were wholly innocent of any responsibility for conscious or unconscious transgressions of mine. These questionings, and continued discordant health conditions, led me into a fiercely rebellious state of mind, which lasted for many years, wherein I utterly repudiated the Bible, its teaching and advocates. Acting under the advice of my physicians, I resorted to whisky to stimulate my flagging energies, and thus became addicted to its use. About 1898, I seemingly got the better of the consumptive condition, but struggled under a multiplicity of resultant complaints of the heart, liver, stomach, and kidneys, which, by reason of their diseased action, added to my misery. Impaired eyesight made it necessary for me to wear specially ground glasses all the time. I also acquired the habit of smoking and became an habitual user of tobacco. Gradually a nervous condition developed, until I was all but a complete physical and mental wreck, beyond the skill of my physician, and finally in a state of mind where I was in despair, bereft of hope and practically convinced that my family would be obliged to take up life's battle deprived of further guardianship of mine.
In this condition, about June, 1902, I was prevailed upon to try Christian Science. I had no faith in it. I had no religious belief. I had no use for the Bible or its exponents. A vague, misty, intangible belief in some governing force somewhere, was my only anchor.
My first experience in Christian Science treatment resulted in a glorious relief from pain, and so impressed me with the positive evidence of a power hitherto unknown to me, that I felt it my duty to investigate thoroughly this unseen force and determine, if possible, whether its earnest advocates were right or wrong in their contention that it was the operation of God's law. Here was an indisputable and tangible result. A seemingly hopeless physical and mental condition was changed for the better without pills or plasters, prescriptions or mysterious incantations. I began my investigation determined that no obstacle should prevent my reaching a solution of the problem before me. Many of the larger questions frequently presented were laid aside with this thought,—I'll wait until I've mastered the simple things before I attempt the greater ones. I strove to become as a little child; to content myself with that beautiful thought, "One step enough for me," "lead Thou me on," and the wonders of the glorious vista which opened up before me, filled me with a reverence, an awed humility hitherto entirely unknown.
I studied Science and Health. Many of its passages were as Greek, at first reading, but I persistently refused to question the truth of any statement it contained, for had not Mrs. Eddy, the inspired writer of the book, shown by the truths I could comprehend, that my former concept of God was wholly wrong, and was it not possible and probable that, as I continued to study and ponder, my apprehension would become enlightened to the confounding of formerly accepted but unsatisfactory theories? This reasoning proved correct. The wonder of the spiritual advancement of the author, our Leader, is a constant marvel to me. That any one in this age of materialism and commercialism should be enabled to discern the wondrous truth the book contains, and to reach so high a standpoint of spiritual advancement, seemed almost incredible, yet I now know that "with God all things are possible." I gradually forgot my physical ailments. My glasses have been laid aside, no longer needed, and the use of liquor and tobacco is no longer indulged. But above, beyond, and better than all this, I have found my God. Is there not every reason why I should hold in deepest reverence and love, her who by earnest prayer and effort has made it possible for me and for the world to solve the perplexing problems of life, and prove that Jesus taught a practical, workable plan of salvation and showed the way to a realization of that wonderful truth, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand"? Words of mine are wholly inadequate to express my love for our Leader, who to-day stands in a position of spiritual discernment hitherto unattained, waging a glorious warfare for humanity in order that you and I, dear reader, may find our God and learn how to live. I feel a deep sense of gratitude for the knowledge that has come to me that "God is a very present help in trouble," a gratitude that can only be fitly expressed by my daily effort so to live that I may be a humble exemplar of the Christ-truth as unfolded in the pages of Mrs. Eddy's "little book," the value of which cannot be measured by money,—"Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures."
This is the transformation worked in me during the past three years, and the question is answered.
Los Angeles, Cal.
