Unlike many who have sought refuge under the shadow of this great Rock, Truth, I was not drawn thither through a desire for physical healing. On the contrary, I rather spurned the idea that anything other than drugs and hygiene is able to accomplish the healing of the body. For eight years prior to my investigation of Christian Science, I had been convinced that Jesus of Nazareth meant what he said when he charged his students to be perfect even as their "Father which is in heaven is perfect," and while a realization of such a demand seemed to be leagues away to the so-called Christian, yet the fact that he gave such a commandment to flesh and blood students implied the possibility of Godlike perfection on this plane of existence. And while those to whom I declared my convictions pronounced me an extremist, and assured me that I could only hope to attain a mortal or human sense of perfection,—nevertheless I was convinced that Jesus taught differently, and like Martin Luther, I could only say, "Here I stand."
Just how it came about that I drifted into Christian Science I am unable to say; I only know that the teachings of the churches did not satisfy me. I had been duly warned that Christian Science was of the devil, and hence forearmed I began my investigation. I was not long in concluding that if it were Satan's religion, in many points it was more Christlike than the religion of its critics, and ere I was aware I had declared myself a believer in the beautiful teachings of our text-book, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy. To say that I was satisfied but feebly expresses my thought. I had awakened in a full sense to the "one thing" which I lacked. I had discerned the "more excellent way," on which hangs all the law and the prophets. The Bible began to shine with resplendent light and its hidden wisdom dawned on my opened understanding. I saw the kingdom of God at hand. I heard a lecturer say that for eighteen years he had lived on Christian Science. I deemed that a wild statement then, but I have learned its verity and am approaching the understanding of our Master's language when he said of his words, "They are spirit, and they are life." It is now two years since I began the study of the Bible through its Key, Science and Health. In this time I have learned that the Bible contains the rules for all healing. I am discerning the larger meaning of the word "heal." Hitherto, I used it only in reference to physical ills, but now that narrow and finite sense has given place to the larger and fuller sense of "wholeness" relative to moral and spiritual states as well as physical.
I repeat that I was not drawn to Christian Science through a desire for physical healing. For six months I read the Bible and Science and Health and continued to take drugs. The chapters on "Prayer" and "The Atonement and Eucharist" appealed strongly to me, and I read and re-read them. To dispense with drugs would be a sore trial to my faith and I took medicine. At length I seemed to see how I was willing to trust God for salvation from sin but unwilling to "take no thought" for my life. In talking to our Reader and practitioner I told her my fears, and she said very quietly, "The time will come when you must decide whom you will serve Jesus says we cannot serve God and mammon." That message did not return void. My first proof of the power of the Christ-cure was evidenced in the removal of an ailment from which I had suffered for ten or twelve years and for which I continually took drugs. My husband is a practitioner of materia medica and he was not long in noting that I was not using drugs. He questioned me about it and said, "Well, keep on as long as you are doing so well, that beats drugs." At the birth of our babe I employed a Christian Science practitioner, and I speak knowingly when I say it was wholly free from the annoyances which had followed previous confinements. My babe is now two years old and has never taken medicine. Divine Love is our physician, and thus far has met our every need.
