It is with a feeling of love and gratitude for Christian Science that I tell of the first time that I ever saw or heard of it. Eight years ago I was in great sorrow and darkness, because I saw no light, nor did there seem to be any hope or way out of my trouble. Only to suffer on and on, was all that was told me, in regard to my little daughter, who was greatly afflicted with her eyes. This trouble was contracted when she was about three years old. Night after night I sat with her in my arms, trying to soothe her, when her pain was so intense. This continued for three years, though I tried every remedy I could hear of with no help at all; indeed she grew constantly worse and I was in despair. About this time we moved from Albany to Americus, Ga. After we came here I decided as a last resort to take her to Atlanta to see a noted oculist, and have him treat her.
When speaking of it to a dear friend, she asked me why I did not try Christian Science; that she had seen some wonderful healing done by it. I had never heard of Christian Science before, and I thought such a thing absurd, as in my opinion Jesus and his disciples were the only ones ever intended to heal by spiritual means. I was sure that the oculist could heal her if any one could, and so I told my friend. I have since been glad that I did go and have him try, for when I turned to Christian Science I had no other hope. After this oculist examined her he told me it was one of the worst cases he had ever seen; that she would have to wear glasses all her life, and he did not know whether she would ever be able to go to school. He gave me a lot of medicine to use, and I stayed there one week, then came back out of heart; the remedies were so severe, and I could see that she was growing worse every day.
Nearly a month after this my friend again spoke of Christian Science treatment; so I began to consider the question, and in a few days decided to try it. I shall never forget the kindness shown me by those dear friends. We went on Saturday morning. The Scientist talked with me and gave the child a treatment; she also told me not to worry about her, that God would care for her. I went home wondering at the love which I saw expressed, and tried to do as I had been told. I worked and waited, and on the following Tuesday the child came to me and said, "Mamma, it seems like lightning flashes through my eyes." A terrible fear came to me that her sight was going out, but I tried not to think of it and she went away. Directly she came back, and pushing back her little bonnet said, "Mamma, I can see!" and looked up at me with bright, clear eyes.
