When six years old I had an operation for squinting, after which it was found necessary for me to wear glasses, for if anything was attempted which required close sight, the eyes immediately crossed. At the age of fourteen, one eye was said to be practically useless. Different glasses were prescribed, but no hope could be given that sight would be restored to that eye. The last oculist, the leading man of the day, who was consulted many years after, laid great stress on the importance of my using spectacles constantly; he said they should never be discarded, that any strain would be fatal to the better eye. Having given his verdict, he added, "Get as much pleasure out of life as you can, never give your eye too much work, and thus a fatality may be avoided." So from childhood to womanhood those glasses were worn. Reading at night had been prohibited; indeed during the day any kind of work which taxed the eyes tended to make them ache woefully. Though for eight to nine years I had been privileged in having in my possession "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," also "Miscellaneous Writings" by Mrs. Eddy, and though I had tried conscientiously to study, and had regularly read the Lesson-Sermon, yet it never reached my consciousness that the doctor's verdict in my case could be reversed. Living in a country place in Ireland, I felt alone, to human sense. A few weeks were spent in London twice in each year, but excuses came readily to prevent a regular attendance at the Wednesday evening meetings; the fear of criticism from those who were not in the truth held me back; and so I lost many opportunities offered for the healing of my eyes. My little girl was cured of measles through Christian Science treatment; every case of sickness that appeared was met by this great teaching. A sense of fear was overcome when scarlet fever and diphtheria were raging around us, and no plague came nigh our dwelling; still I lacked the understanding which was to give me this wonderful blessing—restored sight—but I have been led on by divine Love. I was tenderly guided once more to the right plane of thought. I began to understand that defective sight is not God's idea of perfection, and after one week's treatment I was able to write a letter, depending alone upon the so-decreed "blind eye." I no longer need glasses. I have now read for several months books both of large and small type without suffering the slightest inconvenience. Spectacles are discarded forever. Not only has my sight been restored, but my faith has been strengthened; there is nothing to fear, inasmuch as God is the source of all supply for every need, and I know that the full realization of this great truth came with the healing of my eyes. My one desire is to prove my gratitude to God, and to Mrs. Eddy; to be faithful to her teaching and so honor and glorify our Father-Mother God.
Newlands, Strahart Ferns, Ireland.
