From infancy I was considered of delicate constitution, and rheumatism, attacks of throat trouble, headaches, and an extremely nervous disposition furnished a program for years which was anything but pleasant. My first experience with Christian Science was twelve years ago, while having a severe attack of throat trouble. A practitioner was called, and during the afternoon of the second day under Science treatment, every phase of the ailment appeared and disappeared, and The disease was then completely healed. From that time to the present, so far as I can recall, there has never been the least return of this disease, but even after the above proof of the healing power of Christian Science I did not cling to it, seeking instead material means of help for other troubles for a year or two.
While in an extremely nervous condition I called upon Science once more. From the first treatment I was benefited, and I value the love and patience of the practitioners, through whose faithful work so much good was accomplished. Permanent relief, however, from the nervous difficulty, which included a long list of ills, came only as I was awakened to realize that the work to be done was my own. There has been a constant improvement physically, in proportion to my earnestness in seeking and gaining an understanding of Christian Science. From an aimless, dissatisfied, though active career, the understanding of Christian Science gradually and naturally instilled more unselfish motives for daily living, awakening the desire to do good, and proving that activity under any and all circumstances, when based on right motives, brings peace and contentment. The church work in the various departments — not from the love of place or power, but from the love of service in any capacity — has been a privilege and a healing experience for me many times.
Christian Science makes it plain that the unsolved problems and the unfinished work of mental reconstruction are one and the same. The standard which Christian Science furnishes, as to honesty, faithfulness, sincerity, consistency, and the myriad other qualities of good, is attained only by degrees, but in a very just proportion to earnest effort. This understanding eliminates cause for discouragement and is an incentive to "watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus" (Science and Health, p. 497) Each day affords ample opportunity to live according to one's best understanding of Christian Science, and thus give genuine proof of gratitude for this truth which has been discovered and given to the world by Mrs. Eddy.
