I am sometimes asked, "What has Christian Science done for you? Why do you respect and love Mrs. Eddy, its Discoverer and Founder?" Seven years ago, as I came home one afternoon, the doctor met me at the door. He had been waiting to tell me that nothing more could be done for my wife. He had exhausted, he said, all medical means, and this was his kindly way of telling me that he felt there was no hope. I made no comment, but walked through the house to the room where my wife lay, as she had for three months, in a very critical condition. As soon as she saw me she said, "I want to try Christian Science." She did not know what the doctor had said to me which caused me to give my assent like one grasping at a straw, but the result was that she had Christian Science treatment the same afternoon. Three days later she was with us at a little family picnic dinner among the green trees ten miles from our home, and eight days after this we started on a mountain trip, which was taken with the hope that my own health might be benefited, as I did not think at the time that Christian Science could help me, notwithstanding it had wrought this wonderful healing of my wife.
I was at that time suffering from a complication of diseases, —a very severe condition of nervous and stomach trouble, a disordered condition of the heart, fistula, etc., and for nearly a year I had been afflicted with carbuncles. The trip to the mountains did me no good; on the contrary, I became worse. At last, in utter despair, after six months' persuasion by my wife, I commenced Christian Science treatment. My healing was not quick, like that of my wife, and I am thankful that it took six months to accomplish it, since during that time I made a study of the Christian Science text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, which gave me an understanding of the truth of being and its practical application, — a knowledge that man is not placed upon the earth as a creature of circumstance, hopelessly subject to the ills, worries, and discords that may be allotted to him by an unknown God; but that God is an ever-present, knowable good; perfect, sure, and powerful; whom to know aright is everlasting life, here and now. As we approach Him in right thought, right action, right living, working toward the realization of Christ's command, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect," we are freed from beliefs of sickness, worry, and discord, and find a God who is indeed "a very present help in trouble;" a God on whom we can depend for help and support in every line of activity. This same mighty power allays the worry, relieves the pain, wipes out the discord, destroys fear, selfishness, self-will, anger, malice, and hatred, and establishes peace on earth and good will toward men through the truth.
It seems to me I have abundant reason to respect and love Mrs. Eddy, who by her unceasing labor, constant self-denial, and ever-active vigilance has brought to us the knowledge of this truth, and made it plain to suffering humanity that they might profit thereby, when through it so many blessings have come to me and mine. I was healed of all my diseases; in my home every condition of error is being destroyed. I have a healthy, happy, harmonious family; whereas, formerly we were sick, unhappy, and inharmonious. We have found an ever-present, all-powerful, all-loving God; through knowledge of and reliance on whom, all suffering, worry, and discord can be wiped out — a God w,ho is a help in my business as well as in my home, destroying worry, fear, and inharmony. May I not ask why all do not love and respect Mrs. Eddy, since all may reap the same blessings.
