Shortly after I began to read "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, I was stricken with rheumatism. My feet were so badly swollen that I could not walk, and the pain was most severe. I also had large sores on my body that were very painful and would not heal. During this time I used a physician's remedies according to directions, but failed to obtain relief. After suffering for twelve days intensely, it occurred to me that I had been reading a very interesting and —if true—remarkable book, which claimed that the religion taught and practised by Jesus was as available today as it was while he was upon earth. Then the thought came, Why not make the test? This I decided to do, and threw all my medicines away, telling my wife I was going to see what God would do for me.
When I went to bed that night it seemed as if all the so-called powers of evil had been turned loose on me, so great was the pain. I tried to pray in the old way, but the words meant nothing. Was it possible that I did not know how to pray? The thought almost paralyzed me. Then, after what seemed to be a very long time, the answer came that God's child does not have to beg Him for anything. The pain went out, and I learned my first lesson in Christian Science. I had touched the hem of Christ's garment and was healed. That night I slept as peacefully as a little child, for the first time during my affliction, and awoke next morning free from pain, and was able to walk without inconvenience. In three days one foot was healed perfectly, the other healed except one toe, which did not get entirely well for several months. The sores on my body healed with a blue appearance, and I read the next morning, in Proverbs: "The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil." I was not only healed, but had it confirmed by Holy Writ. Another remarkable thing, to sense, is that the sores did not leave scars. I also lost the desire for tobacco, which I had used for twenty years. Since then I have received many other blessings from Christian Science, but the spiritual uplift far surpasses the physical benefits. My wife has also been greatly helped, and we are both very grateful to God, also to Mrs. Eddy for this wonderful revelation of Truth. Christian Science has been a great blessing to me.— Vicksburg, Miss.
