While listening to some very fine music, and noticing with what apparent ease the director led a chorus of two hundred and twenty-three voices through the most difficult passages and brought all out in perfect harmony, I could not help being carried back in thought to the early history of this chorus, and the years of patient and loving effort that had been devoted to the accomplishment of this splendid attainment. Then my thoughts went back to the days when our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, started with those who were inclined to listen to her teachings; and from that small beginning how much harmony has been brought into the lives of thousands by the study of our text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," as well as the perusal of our various publications. My heart went out in gratitude to her for the many blessings that have come to me and mine since I took up the study of Christian Science, at a time when there was little else but discord in my life. A church was the last place to which I thought of going, for although I had been brought up religiously I had gradually drifted away. Now, to miss a service, either on Wednesday night or Sunday, means much to me, and I love to attend our services anywhere, no matter how few may be present, for we know that Love is present everywhere.
Over three years ago, while on a trip in central Illinois, I was taken with a pain about my heart, which became so severe that I was almost afraid to go to bed at night, and tried to relieve the pain by the use of intoxicants. While at one of the houses where I transacted business, I stated in answer to a friend's question that I was smoking with an idea that it would help my heart trouble. He immediately took from his pocket a copy of Science and Health, and said very emphatically, "This is what you want." I asked him to loan me the book, and though he said he could not do that, he offered me two copies of the Sentinel and told me to read them; that, if interested, I could find out about the other publications by referring to the last page. I took the papers and read every word in them, and continued on my trip. Wherever I found a Sentinel in the waiting-rooms at the depots or in the hotels, I read it, and in less than six weeks the desire for intoxicating liquors had vanished.
It is now over three years since I have touched intoxicants in any form, and this was brought about through the reading of the Christian Science Sentinel. I then bought a copy of Science and Health, and after I had read the textbook for a few weeks the desire for tobacco, which I had used almost all my life, left me, and I have not since had the slightest desire for it. Up to this time, and for more than a year afterward, I did not know what a "treatment" was, as my healing from the use of liquor and tobacco all came by reading our publications, and Science and Health. I am indeed grateful to my friend for the copies of the Sentinel which he gave me, and which were the means of my becoming interested in Christian Science; and how much more grateful should I be to our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy, who has brought us the healing word, and also to God, who has revealed to us this truth which is daily bringing peace and harmony to many people.
