It is with a great sense of gratitude in my heart, for the "better country" into which Christian Science has led me, that I joyfully bring my thank-offering of experience, hoping it may help some fellow-traveler who is still in the "far country." The blessings which this truth has bestowed upon me and mine, during the last fifteen years, cover almost every phase of human experience. Christian Science gave us, indeed, "the oil of joy for mourning" when sickness was replaced by health, weakness by strength, and fear by confidence. It was the "opening of the prison" and the proclaiming of "liberty to the captive" in countless ways as the truth burst the bonds that had fettered us. It also "proclaimed the acceptable year of the Lord" by its clear illumination of the sacred Word, which from childhood had been a familiar friend. But the blessing for which my heart goes out in most sincere and emphatic gratitude is the fact that this precious revelation of truth has proven itself a perfect balm for that unrest which for so many years had led me on in what seemed a weary, hopeless search for God, good. Born and reared in an orthodox belief, I had always endeavored, with conscientious earnestness and unquestioning faith in the doctrines taught me, to find my greatest good in the life which accorded with its highest ideals. Gladly had every known demand for labor, sacrifice, and personal consecration been met, but the more arduously I worked and studied and prayed, the more unbearable became the clamorings of that heart-hunger which would not be silenced by anything that the best teachings of my church could bring. I was truly "an hungred;" I had no satisfying inward "peace" such as the Bible certainly promises as the work of righteousness.
Wearily I struggled on, ever reaching toward the ideal of the higher Christian life, a vision of which had come to me in the early days of my experience as a church member, but finding in all the highways and by-ways of so-called religious work only an elusive will-o'-the-wisp, until at last a dear friend led me to Christian Science. Then the goal of my longing desire was realized, for Christian Science revealed to me the true righteousness, whose effect is always "quietness and assurance forever." With the psalmist I can now say, "Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness." And His goodness, as revealed in Christian Science, not only gives satisfaction, but it gives to life a keener zest and gladness, adding new pleasure to everything that legitimately occupies time or thought, for the happiness which is from the kingdom within radiates alike on self and others, on labor and recreation. As the prophet says, "Thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not."
To our revered Leader, who has toiled and suffered that we might be comforted, we would bring an affection that is "more than words" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 250), for the precious boon which she has given to humanity has been "bought with a price"— not with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but with the priceless treasure of an unselfed love.
