Truly "the heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy." Just as no one can measure the extent of another's suffering, so it is impossible to give an adequate idea of the happiness of release from it. It is now five years since I began to study Christian Science. At that time I was in a miserable state of weakness and illness consequent upon a condition of internal trouble which caused attacks of excessive pain that nothing but opiates allayed. I was told that neither medicine nor surgery could change or relieve this condition, and that there was no prospect before me but a life of increasing invalidism. After many years of suffering I have nevertheless been entirely cured of this malady and its effects through the patient work of a Christian Science practitioner, followed by a growing understanding of the Principle, and an application of the truth by myself. It seems no small thing to me to be healthy, strong, and free; to walk without pain: to stand all the exertion of an active life without exhaustion. This alone is sufficient cause for rejoicing, but Christian Science has given me much more than this in the understanding that God is perfect Mind, and in the revelation of the true nature of man's being taught by Mrs. Eddy in her wonderful writings. The whole aspect of life has changed under the guidance of her teaching, which continually unfolds the infinite capacities and possibilities of good.
True gratitude to God can only be expressed in wellbeing,—thus only can the created praise the creator,—but we may yield thanks in words to her whose noble and unselfish courage has surmounted innumerable difficulties to bring this truth to human consciousness. Gratefully would I echo her own beautiful words in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 207), and, "where heart meets heart reciprocally blest," accept her invitation to drink with her "the living waters" of her life-purpose,—"to impress humanity with the genuine recognition of practical, operative Christian Science."
Eastbourne, Sussex, England
