With a deep sense of regret that I have so long withheld the testimony of my transformation through the renewing of the mind, and with inexpressible gratitude to our dear Leader, whose reflection of love, power, and intelligence has made possible to mankind the understanding of God, the absolute, changeless, divine Principle of all that really exists, I write these words. Through the application of this truth, daily, hourly, we do, as some one has said, "bring order out of confusion and prosperity out of seeming adversity."
I came to Christian Science three and a half years ago, seeking freedom from the drugs and their dire effects which had held me in bondage for about two years, and for which I had tried several so-called "cures," only to find my condition more alarming than before. Not as an excuse for my cowardice, but simply to show how subtly evil ever works, let me here say that I had been through what to me seemed endless trouble, — years of sickness, limitations, and death, under most distressing conditions, during which time my health, never robust, gave way under the strain. Mental as well as physical strength seemed to be exhausted, and in my despair I seemed to be on the verge of insanity. Then it was that I resorted to drugs — anything which for the time being made these dreadful conditions seem less real. I had ceased to consider God, except as a power that sent discord to some of earth's children continuously. My only consideration was for my dear little boy,— all I had left, — and for his sake I struggled to free myself from this slavery. I realized that the spirit was indeed willing, but the flesh, oh, so weak!
I had been reared in a Christian atmosphere, my father being a clergyman, and heretofore my belief in God, the Bible, and the church had seemed a firm foundation; but when the storm came I found my material sense of the creator and His creation to be a sand foundation, and my structure collapsed — I was left without God, and alone. In this deplorable state I was advised by several friends, who at the time were not Scientists, to try Christian Science. For several months I hesitated, thinking a step in this direction would mean disloyalty to my dear father and mother. My extremity was, however, God's opportunity, and Truth did govern.
