I had excellent health until about forty years of age, when a serious heart trouble began to develop, and from that time my health and strength seemed to fail. I had neuralgic, kidney, and stomach trouble, besides many other ailments that I had only known by name before. About this time we suffered severe financial losses, and it seemed to me that I had never needed my health and strength as I did then. I honestly tried in every way I knew to help myself, but I grew so nervous and irritable, and was so weak and miserable, that life seemed a burden.
One day I was taken quite ill, and after trying what I could do for myself, a physician was called in, and for eight weeks I was under his care. I seemed to get better at times, but would always have a relapse and be worse than before. I became so weak that I would faint as I lay in bed, and so discouraged that when I was alone I shed many bitter tears. One day the doctor talked to me very seriously, yet kindly. He assured me he had done all that could be done for me; that it was useless for me to think of doing any kind of work. He also told me I would probably continue to be subject to such attacks, and that I might as well abandon all thought of usefulness—for several years anyway. I could see very plainly that he did not expect me to get well, and I resolved to die as quietly and make as little trouble as possible.
When I told my daughter that I was not going to take any more medicine, she asked me why I did not try Christian Science. She said she had a friend at school whose family were Scientists, and had often heard them speak of it. I did not know anything at all about it, but told her I was willing to try it. She went at once for her friend's mother, and then—how can I tell what happened! Even yet, after four years, 't seems to me like one of the beautiful, wonderful miracles I used to read about when I was a child. The lady came; she told me of Christian Science; she sent me a practitioner, who treated me, and I was healed. I was told that if I had any work to do, to do it; that I was well; and I found this to be true, although at the time I did not believe it.
I went to work, but I was very weak. When my friend called upon me a few days later, I told her about it, and that, as I had promised to take no more medicine, I could not take the tonic the doctor had prescribed. "And," I added, "you know I can never get strong without a tonic." She laughed heartily and said that I should have treatment in Christian Science for strength. I thought she was joking, but my daughter urged me to go, reminding me that I had received help and might again. My daughter helped me to dress, and went with me, but when we finally reached the practitioner's office I felt so faint and weary that I thought I could not sit up. I was given treatment, and when I went back into the room where my daughter was waiting for me, she said, "Now I am going to call a carriage to take you home." I told her I had no intention of going home. I was going up town. And how good it did seem to walk, and walk, and walk, with no sense of fatigue. From that day to this, over four years, I can truly say I have never been tired.
It seemed to me that I was indeed a new creature. Every ailment I had ever known left me, and I felt as well and strong as when I was a girl. Even yet I love to run up and down stairs, and never do so without a feeling of gratitude that I am released from the fear of "a bad spell with my heart;" but best of all, far better and sweeter to me than the perfect physical health I have enjoyed ever since that happy day, better than the demonstration over lack of money that has been made for me, is the spiritual awakening and (I say it very reverently and humbly) the regeneration that came with the healing. My happiness is too great for me to tell. I love to wake up in the night and think of it. It seems such a joy to know this beautiful practical truth, to have it always with me, and to know that I may go on growing in it. To say that I am grateful to Mrs. Eddy is not enough; words cannot tell the gratitude I feel, but I am trying to let my life express it.
San Jose, Cal.
