The experience herein related shows that if we are ready when the call comes to us. we can speak the truth which heals. While sitting in the Christian Science Reading Rooms in Chicago one afternoon, I noticed a man and woman, who were apparently strangers, walking around as though looking for some one. They sat down near me and the man motioned to me and asked me to move my chair over near him. This request annoyed me, as I did not wish to be troubled, and I was about to shake my head and put my finger to my lips to signify silence; but it occurred to me that possibly they might judge Christian Science by my attitude, and that I should express love. I then moved over to him, and he told me that they were strangers and had come to the rooms to learn something about Science, as his wife was in need of help. He said, "I picked you out because you look as though you had been through the mill, and I want to hear something from some one who has been healed." He asked me if I had been cured of anything and if I would tell him about my own case. I told him as briefly as possible what my condition was when Christian Science found me.
I went on to tell how, after wasting several years seeking pleasure in material things, having drunk to the dregs nearly every form of sin, I had reached the last level and was in such a condition as no doubt many others have been. My wife had been ill several months each year, and on account of this and my actions she was very unhappy, so that, after putting up with nearly everything that a woman could, she had decided to leave me. I was unable to hold a position on account of drinking, gambling, hot temper, laziness, and dishonesty, and we had reached a most miserable state and were often in want. After deciding to try once more to live together, we went to board at the home of a Christian Scientist, who told us about the book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, and treated my wife. She was healed in a few weeks of an abdominal growth and several other disorders for which the doctors said she would need to have an operation. Of course this awakened me, and I began reading and going to Church with my wife, and was healed of drinking, gambling, dishonesty, smoking, a vicious temper, also of moroseness and blues which amounted almost to insanity. Our home was transformed from one of dissatisfaction, quarrels, misery, and unhappiness to one of peace, contentment, thoughtfulness for each other, and perfect harmony. I told him of the beautiful peace of mind that Christian Science had given both of us, of the spiritual sense of life, and of our regeneration, mentally, morally, spiritually, physically, and also financially.
In telling my experience to these people, I modified the conditions and tried not to put any pathos into the recital, and was much surprised to see them both crying. I advised them to get Science and Health and study it. and when they asked me to recommend a practitioner, I directed them to one and assured them they would find healing for whatever their troubles were. A week or two afterward I learned that in telling of my healing I had told them of conditions similar to those through which they were then passing. They too had been unhappy and unable to get along, and had been separated for some time. The husband had been told something of the good that Christian Science does,and had gone to his wife and asked her to try it, and had brought her to the Reading Rooms seeking information. He had picked me out because he thought I looked as though I "had been through the mill," and instead of telling them of some of the wonderful physical healing of which I knew, I unknowingly told them of a case parallel to their own. I have learned that they have since been reunited and are earnestly studying Christian Science. Will any one deny that the all-knowing Mind led them to the Reading Room? When I refused to listen to error and turn these people away with a shake of the head, I was made the channel through which the healing word of Truth came to them, and I certainly feel very humble and grateful when I think of this experience.
