ONE year ago Christian Science came into my life, and I desire to express my deep gratitude to God for sending the light of Truth afresh into the world by means of Mrs. Eddy. Through an earnest Christian mother I early came to love God and the Bible, but in later years other interests occupied almost all of my time and thought. Then followed years of ill health and a sense of great trouble. In this utter darkness I realized that God alone could help me, and I earnestly tried to find comfort and peace. I also began a systematic study of the life of Christ Jesus with the aid of some most helpful volumes. This study was inspiring beyond measure, and brought me more peace and joy than I had ever before known. I was impressed with Jesus' commands to heal the sick, and strove to find health through prayer. In this I had partial success, and was convinced that there was a way if I could only find it.
About this time some remarkable cures through Christian Science came to my knowledge, but having a most faulty conception of the teaching, I felt that I would have to ask divine guidance before looking into the matter any further. When I felt sure of God's approval, I sought out a Christian Scientist, who told me that I would have to study "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" if I would derive any help. This dismayed me. I had always tried to be tolerant toward all religions, but I know now that I was much prejudiced against Christian Science and its Discoverer. I was seeking physical health, but had no wish to change my religion. Much joy had come to me, and I was sure there could be no better path than the one I was trying to tread; but the kind practitioner had given me some Sentinels, and these I read carefully. I liked them exceedingly, and was impressed with the spirit of deep earnestness which pervaded each article. I felt that here I had found a people who were really and truly trying to live the Christ-life. I then knew that I did want a copy of Science and Health, but, strange as it now seems to me, I read it through the first time with much apprehension. I was eager to derive physical help, but feared lest I should come across teachings contrary to those of Jesus, and that therefore I could not accept them.
To my delight I found nothing of this sort, but rather such wonderful truths! Instead of having to tear down the essential things of my old faith, I found that Christian Science was building upon them a glorious superstructure. I felt sure that Mrs. Eddy must have been inspired by God. Many parts of Science and Health I could not then understand, but I was sure it would all become plain as I continued to study. One of my strange old views was that Christian Science savored of ignorance. In this also I was delightfully surprised. In the varied and carefully chosen vocabulary, in the clear and graceful English, and in the accurate allusions to many fields of human knowledge, I saw unmistakable proofs of education and spiritual insight, which was to me a great encouragement.
