I have often thought lately upon the Bible verse which reads, "Freely ye have received, freely give;" and I realize that I am not acting on it until I express some of the deep gratitude I feel for what Christian Science has done for me. When I first paid any attention to what I heard of it here in England (after a considerable sojourn in the United States), it was some time before I really began even to peruse the text-book, and when I did so, it was with a rebellious and prejudiced thought. Later, I consented to write for absent treatment to a friend of my mother-in-law. In a very short time the worst of my pain vanished, though for the first few days it had seemed accentuated. Most of my suffering was from acute rheumatic trouble, which had become chronic, but several minor ailments left me about the same time, and later my worst bugbear, sleeplessness and nervous excitability, also departed. In spite of the tangible proofs which I had had of Christian Science healing, I did not trust to it when my eldest child was born, but had the very best that materia medica could do for me. Though the kindness and tender sympathy I met with could never be surpassed, I suffered every discord and danger imaginable under the circumstances. My second child's birth was altogether different in every way, with no trouble of any sort attending it, and I had no aid at all from materia medica. On this occasion I realized the ever-presence of our Father-Mother God as never before. At this time too, a dear practitioner gave me absent treatment.
I have been helped in more ways than a few words can possibly convey, in the overcoming of accidents, fears, colds, a delicate throat, and internal troubles; but above all else I am grateful for the sense of peace and the utter confidence in God's daily and hourly help that has come to me. I shall always be grateful to the many unselfish doctors and nurses who have tried to help me, and I long for the time when they, too, will see how efficient and sure this new-old healing is; for though we individually may only have touched the hem of it, as it were, we have had more than enough proof from others of what Christian Science really is. The lectures we are so often privileged to hear, the services held all over the British Isles, etc., all tend to clear one's thought of its weight of false beliefs and preconceived notions. I feel now quite sure of what our unique Leader's position is in the world to-day, and even those who seem wilfully to misrepresent her and her understanding of her Father and our Father, will some day see the truth and act on it. I only hope that my life may show in the future that T am to some extent proving that I understand in part at least the glorious Principle Mrs. Eddy was enabled to rediscover, and by so doing be the means of helping many who need God's help. I have an earnest wish that some day I may have a tangible opportunity of being of real use to our Leader.
Chatham, Kent, England.
