SOME time ago I was requested to give my personal experience, to tell why I am a Christian Scientist,—the same request having been made to different ministers of our city as to the faith or doctrine they advocated. The apostle Peter says, "Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." The apostle James says, "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. . . . But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?"
In response to the above question I would say that when about fourteen years of age I was received into the Christian Church, and earnestly strived to lead a Christian life. A few years later I commenced studying for the ministry, and preached my first sermon while yet in my teens. I continued my studies, occasionally supplying the pulpit, until my health failed. The physicians whom I consulted said that I had overtaxed the brain by hard study. I was under the care of both allopathic and homeopathic physicians, and they were exceptionally kind to me. I am confident they did all in their power to help me, and for their labor of love in my behalf I shall ever be grateful, but I grew worse. My condition became so alarming to my parents that they did not think I could live many days. It was in this dark hour, when material dependences had failed, that I cried out to God for help. I realize that my prayer was answered in Christian Science being brought to me, for through its beneficent influence I was healed.
In seeking Christian Science aid the one important thing with me was the assurance that it was founded upon the Bible. Now, after seventeen years of study and work in Christian Science, I not only believe that it is founded upon the Bible, but I know it is. While the physical healing in my case was great, it is the smallest part of the work in Christian Science. I never loved the Bible so much as since I gained some understanding of Christian Science, and my love for its spiritual truths increases as I grow into a better understanding of this Science. We are admonished by Holy Writ to search the Scriptures, and the most valuable help I have ever found in so doing is the Christian Science text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," by Mrs. Eddy; it is both a commentary and a key. I have always valued this textbook for its literary merit, but far more for the light it casts upon the Scriptures; to me the Bible never before appeared so beautiful.
