When one has passed through many years' experience of severe illness, both to one's self and family, when trouble comes in an unending cycle and sicknesses follow each other until pain and misery seem to stretch out limitlessly before one's view, when this was the prevailing condition until Christian Science changed all things, how could you or I show more gratitude than by trying to help others to be healthier and happier, and to enjoy the same blessings we now enjoy. When a sick man's greatest desire is health for a dear wife and himself, when all that he asks is just a chance to struggle on in search of happiness, and his unexpressed wish is that he may bear his burdens at least long enough to see those he loves free from a load of sickness and above want,—when these are all he desires from life, and when suddenly all good things are made a reality, and more, much more, than lie ever hoped for is rendered to him, then I ask, is it any great wonder that he and many others who have been sick should love to help those who are now struggling as they struggled and doubting as they doubted, those who are striving to overcome suffering and sorrow in their own lives? It is to those who now are sick and hopeless as I was, to those who are striving against sickness and pain to hold their positions, though fearful that the day is coming which will render them useless, a burden and a care to those they love; it is to the man who after working all day cares for a sick wife by night, his heart filled with fear and doubt of the morrow; it is to the brave wife, in whom hope is being fast killed,—it is to such as these that most of all I wish to write. To these, and to all who sorrow and are heavy laden, Christian Science carries a message of health and hope. It restored me to health, in spite of my open doubts and my incredulity, completely healing me of many troubles. My wife, too, has been eased from pain, and rejoices in renewed health and increased happiness.
About nine years ago I first took medical treatment for stomach trouble. It had not at that time assumed a serious form, but after about three and a half years it had become very serious. Shortly after the first-named trouble made its appearance, I was attacked with a disorder of the bowels, which together with the other made me very miserable. My condition grew steadily worse, and in addition agonizing headaches made their appearance, these sometimes lasting for one or two days and rendering me almost useless both at home and in my business. I then decided to take up a system of physical culture, but a faithful trial of this method left me thinner and in more pain than when I began it. After some months of experiments, and what had now become six years of struggle with increasing illness, I began to take opiates, in small quantities at first, to relieve the pain. From that time on the need for the drug came oftener, and more of it was required each time. Looking back to that time from the present, it seems to me like a dreadful dream, but it makes me the more thankful for the happy present.
For nearly two years I was under most rigorous treatment, as both stomach and bowels absolutely refused to do their work. Several doctors who diagnosed my case said that an operation was inevitable, in fact it seemed to be my only hope, but there was so much difference of opinion that it was thought better to wait a little longer, until it became surer that an operation was an immediate necessity to save life. The advice of my wife and a friend settled that question, and I decided to wait, trusting in something, I did not know what, to help me. A short time after this, while suffering greatly and weak from the aftereffects of morphine, a friend told me that I did not need to be sick and suffer. He pointed out to me that there was one way which I had not tried, and that this way was Christian Science. I thanked him, and not so much from faith in Christian Science, because I knew nothing about it and up to that time was very indifferent to the subject, as because I wanted to be just and courteous to a man whom I knew to be my friend, I went to see a Christian Science practitioner.
