From early childhood I was very weak and delicate, almost constantly under the care of a doctor, and medicines were taken as regularly as meals most of the time. I suffered with chronic bowel trouble and nervousness, and instead of growing stronger, as the doctors promised I should as I grew older, I grew weaker. I was at this time about twenty, and had been under the care, at different times, of five of the best doctors in Elizabeth, N. J. About this time the family moved to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and a year later I again found it necessary to call on a doctor. He, like the others, gave me various tonics, one after another, until I became discouraged and turned to osteopathy. At considerable expense I received treatment three times a week for about seven or eight months. The bowel trouble was not helped, but rather increased. I ceased taking this treatment and went to the Adirondacks for a month. Life was fast becoming a burden. I had not been able to go to church for four months, nor to any place of amusement, and dreaded to come in contact with strangers.
On the day following my return from the mountains a Christian Scientist called, one in whom I had seen a marked physical change and a state of peace and happiness manifested, and from him I borrowed the text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." I read it almost constantly for the following ten days, when I attended one of the Wednesday evening meetings with a friend. No one but myself can know what I suffered on the way there and for a short time after entering the church. I remained in the Reading Room just off the church, and when I sat down I was suffering greatly. As I listened to the reading the fearful tension relaxed, and I drank in the truth that God is the only creator, that He creates only that which is perfect, and that as God recognizes no sickness or imperfection in what He had created, I as His child should not do so either. I remained throughout the service and was filled with a sense of peace and of God's love toward me. From that night to the present time, now over four years, I have been free from the troubles mentioned. I have also been healed of a throat trouble, considered incurable, and an eye difficulty for which I had worn glasses for two years.
A false sense of life and being had made me sick, and a clear and perfect sense of God's creation and of His limitless supply of strength for our every need has made me well and will keep me so. The promise of Christ Jesus, 'Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free," has been fulfilled in my experience. Years had been spent in seeking health, besides hundreds of dollars for medical treatment, but without success. Ten days partly spent in reading "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," and attending one Christian Science meeting, brought me health and strength without spending one cent of money. My desire is so to live Christian Science that others may be led to follow in the footsteps of Christ, as is clearly explained by our Leader.
