Christian Science has done so much for me that I wish to add my testimony, as it may be of help to some one under similar circumstances. About three years ago I was suddenly stricken while at work, losing the use of my limbs, my whole right side being badly affected. I was carried home and put to bed. When the physician, a dear friend of mine, came to my side and looked at me, he surprised my family and myself by telling us that nothing was the matter with me, and he told me to dress and sit out on the piazza, although it was raining hard at the time. I grew better, relying upon the open air and medicines, and after about six months, though using a cane, I resumed my position of foreman at the American Locomotive Co.'s works located in this city. I had worked only a short time when I was again stricken in the same way, only worse. The same treatment was followed by my faithful physician. I used many different kinds of medicines, but finally he informed us that medicines and batteries could do nothing for me. and stopped coming. I suffered terribly, especially at night, and grew worse so rapidly that my relatives and friends felt the end was near, and that I could not last longer than three weeks at most; but I was saved to be a witness to a better way of healing, a way which seems foolish to many because not yet sufficiently understood.
While I was in this condition my daughter had received help in Christian Science, and one day a lady in her home handed me a book. Glancing at it I said, "Why, this is a Christian Science book, and I am an unbeliever." "But you do not object to reading it?" she asked. I answered, "No." I took the book and read it, but could not comprehend its spiritual meaning. However, I began a second reading, saying to my wife one day, "There must be some healing power taught in this book which I do not understand." I then began to question whether I had not better ask for treatments from a Christian Science practitioner. I consulted with my wife and daughters, and to my surprise they favored my beginning at once. This seemed beautiful to me—God bless them!—for I had no opposition to hold me back, and my chances of getting the needed help were increased thereby. A great thirst to know the truth came to me and bore me up. I could walk a little with the use of my cane, but would frequently fall over and had to be helped up, staggering from one side of the walk to the other and taking advantage of objects on the way to support me. One day I spent forty minutes walking two squares, at another time I fell over three times before I could get even a short distance, but trusting in God I resolved to walk to the practitioner's house. The first question asked me was if I had come of my own will. "No," I replied, "I came by the will of God as revealed to me through the reading of 'Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures' by Mrs. Eddy."
I continued daily treatments about three weeks. I was 'then able to discard my cane, and in six weeks I was as well as ever. I then wanted to go to work, so I changed my occupation to sorting cloth for shipment in the cloth department of Mill No. 11, Amoskeag Corporation, in which capacity I am compelled to walk on an average fifteen miles a day, walking to and from my work; but I have not lost a day's work, and have never felt better physically or mentally. In my present condition every ailment I ever had appears to have departed. Now comes the question, What has done all this for me? Is it not the Science of Christianity, or Christian Science? What better evidence is needed to prove that this Science is the same truth which Jesus understood and taught and applied, revived in our day, than these healing effects? It is the old gospel come again, with power upon earth to save men here and now. In knowing the truth we are made free and better able to realize that God is ever-present Love. I am very grateful to God for the little knowledge I have of Christian Science, and grateful to our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, who has so lovingly placed this wonderful book in our hands, that this great truth may become beneficial to all mankind.
