TO those who are halting between two opinions as to the efficacy of spiritual or material remedies for trouble, let me earnestly recommend the study of the Christian Science text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," wherein they will find the adequate and simple solution of every life-problem,—mental, moral or physical. By way of expressing my gratitude for priceless benefits received through Christian Science, I give the following account of my healing.
Twenty years ago my physical condition was such that a serious surgical operation was advised: the alternative in the opinion of the physician, being at best a short life of invalidism. In spite of immature age, I refused to accept the decision, and on my own responsibility left the hospital the result, as time passed, was much as had been predicted; the maladies, both organic and functional, became chronic, with occasional acute attacks of illness which seemed to make an operation imperative. During ten years I "suffered many things of many physicians," and again the verdict was an operation, with even a more hopeless alternative than before. Naming my former physician, who was considered an authority on such diseases, I said to those in charge that the same prediction had been made ten years before, and that I would take my chances for the future as I was; and once more I had the courage of my convictions escaping with my anatomy—and my miseries—intact. Not wishing to dwell upon ills that are past, I will simply say that they multiplied, and that much of the time I was in pain. It does not require a metaphysician to discern that mental conditions were not improving under this regime and that to me life was not worth while
It seems incredible that any fair-minded, thinking man or woman could be indifferent to the claims of Christian Science, but indifference would hardly express my attitude toward the movement at that time. Indeed I often heard the "still small voice" of Truth, and wished that its help were available for my need; but something restrained me from investigation,—my utter ignorance of this teaching, and possibly a pride of intellect, a belief of having too logical a little mind to accept transcendentalism, which was a proper enough remedy for visionaries, but not for practical me. It was but an echo of that old cry for "a sign;" while the truth is, had I but known it, that Christian Science offers the only infallible and practical rule of life, intangible as it may appear from a material view-point. I had, however, long been convinced that the cause of disease is mental, and that material methods of treatment are not scientific, because of the diversity of opinion in diagnosis by men equally eminent in the profession,—my own case being no exception. In fact, the greatest help I received during all those years was given by physicians who but seldom endorsed the use of the knife.
