In the spring of 1898, while employed as a carrier in the post-office at Spokane, Wash., as a result of exposure I was suddenly stricken with severe lung trouble, which later assumed a most alarming form, many times causing the fear that this attack would be my last. I seemed to recover somewhat, after the first few months, but in the fall of the same year the attacks became more frequent. While in the hills of western Canada I consulted a doctor, who had me provide myself with a goodly supply of medicine, but did not give me much encouragement. I returned home in October, 1898, and consulted another doctor, who told me that one lung was in a bad condition. I continued to grow worse, the attacks becoming more frequent. My wife urged me to try Christian Science treatment, which I felt might be good for some people, but I did not think it would reach my case. Finally, about the end of December, 1898, after constant urging, I decided to consult a Christian Science practitioner. The first visit was very encouraging. I at once took a deep interest in the study of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, as well as the Bible; in fact, I read scarcely anything else for several months, and felt that I certainly had found the truth which heals.
For about ten days after beginning the treatment, I was perfectly free from pain or the least indication of the alarming phase of the disease, but about the second week, in the stillness of the night, I was awakened with a very distressing attack. My wife asked me to take some medicine which we had always kept on hand, but I told her I would not take it, and requested her to read to me from Science and Health. She did so for a short time, and I finally went to sleep, only to awake in the morning with the apparently dangerous condition still in evidence. During the day and the following evening I had four more severe attacks, making five in twenty-four hours, which was more than I had ever had before; I also seemed to suffer more than usual. These conditions continued until the next day, but I kept on clinging to Truth, declaring with all the power I had that God was my Life. Finally the pain ceased; the alarming symptoms were entirely subdued during the following day, and I soon went to work, perfectly well. I was considerably reduced in flesh, but inside of one year thereafter I was heavier than I had ever been before. In the past six years my average weight has been one hundred and ninety-three pounds. I have not had one day's illness since my healing, in January, 1899, at which time my chest was very noticeably sunken, but inside of a few months my wife called my attention to the fact that it had regained its natural condition. During all my life I was subject to periodical spells of liver trouble, but those, too, have left me, and I am today free, a well man.— Spokane, Wash.
