Six years ago I was led to Christian Science by "a little child." My two children, three and five years old, had asked to go to the Christian Science church because they could hear and loved the music which came from the near-by church at the evening service, after they had been put to bed. At my little boy's request they were allowed to go to a service, my maid taking them to the church. Then they attended the morning service and the Sunday School for three successive Sundays. During this time Christian Science was not talked of at home, for we knew nothing of it and were not in the least interested in the subject. On the Monday following the period mentioned, my little son, who was five years old, healed himself of an attack of throat trouble, and explained to me the method by which this was done. These were his words: "Mamma, perhaps you can't understand, because you are not a Christian Scientist, but it is true. Sickness is error and error is nothing, but you have to know that it is nothing." He then told me how error was bidden to depart and the presence of divine Love recognized as the healing power.
The child's clear understanding, explanation, and demonstration made a deep impression upon my thought. I saw at once that he had a knowledge of Principle, of the truth, of which I knew nothing and which he was able to apply with success. I am a graduate of one of the best medical schools in the country, and at this time was a member of the principal medical societies in this city, where I had practised medicine for fifteen years. I had held many clinics in hospitals and many positions of responsibility in a professional capacity, yet I could not heal myself as my five-year-old child had done. That very day I went to the Reading Rooms of First Church of Christ, Scientist, and there sought to learn what Truth is, to find out what Christian Science is; and I found out. I learned that it is the "living Truth," as Mrs. Eddy says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (page 180), a copy of which was put into my hands. A few days later I found myself ill from overexertion and extreme weariness. In reading Science and Health consecutively I came to page 217, and had read this and the page following when I suddenly found that I was free from illness and weariness, and quite as much rested and refreshed as if I had taken a vacation.
That was my first experience of Christian Science healing; it was instantaneous, and brought about by reading Science and Health. The leaven of truth had begun to work in my consciousness! About one year prior to this time I had undergone a surgical operation for an internal ailment, and had been temporarily relieved, but the disease had recurred and was again rendering me very uncomfortable. My husband, who is a surgeon, insisted that I must have the operation repeated, and I was preparing for this to take place a few days later. I did not even think of trying Christian Science for myself, but when I told a lady who was a Christian Science practitioner that I was about to have this operation, she said, "Let me treat you for it, and the operation will not be necessary." I consented, although not really believing this to be possible. She treated me silently for a few moments, when I suddenly found that I was free from all pain and discomfort, and from all the symptoms which I had manifested a few moments before. I exclaimed in great astonishment, "Why, I am healed!" and it was true. Six years have passed since this healing, and there has been no return of the malady. On another occasion I applied to the same practitioner, and was treated for an acute attack of rheumatic trouble which was most painful and severe. On forgetting myself and my pains for a moment, and suddenly making some unusual exertion, I found I was free from all pain and discomfort. I had again been healed instantaneously.
