When but a child I had a distressing nervous trouble and a paralytic affection of the left side. Although I was said to have been cured by materia medica, the cruel traces remained in a weakened constitution. As I was obliged to gain a livelihood, I lived in constant dread of the time approaching, which to me seemed inevitable, when I would not only be unable to work, but would be helpless.
I tried to get consolation from religion, but my hopes extended no farther than to expect strength to endure my lot uncomplainingly. I was always considered an active church worker, leading the meetings in the young people's societies, engaging in public prayer, and for three years I taught a Bible class of twenty or thirty young men. As they were earnest Bible students, it can readily be understood how much time was necessary on my part to devote to study and prayer in order to teach the class. At the end of three years I found that this religion did not satisfy me, I was still in a wilderness of doubt, because I knew nothing of the God who is Life, Truth, Love. I left the church, and for two years the Bible was a closed book, while prayer seemed a hollow form.
Christian Science was then brought to my attention. From the first it appealed to me more as a religion than as a system of healing. I felt that I should he happy if I could only get anchored somewhere; consequently, when I found that the study of Christian Science was making my body strong, I was greatly surprised. During the past six years I have been healed of a number of ailments. Fear of the future and of want have disappeared, and the power of endurance has been increased several times. Fatigue from daily work has given place to vigor, so that instead of retiring almost as soon as I enter the house, I am able to spend three hours every evening in reading and study.
