I feel a deep sense of gratitude for Christian Science, which has given me great happiness as well as better health, and it seems as if God led me to it because of my need and my desire to know the truth. We learn from Science and Health that "desire is prayer" (p. 1), and although I did not realize this before coming to Christian Science, I am sure my prayer of right desire was answered when I was led to one who knew its truth. I had no special interest in the Bible, and seldom looked into it until a short time before learning of Christian Science, when I seemed to feel a desire to read it. I read the New Testament through, then began the Old Testament; I felt deeply interested, and had a great sense of love for the human Jesus,, but all the time there was the sense of not understanding the Scriptures, coupled with a constant desire to have them explained.
Just then I was called away from home by the illness of a relative and after a few days it was decided that I should go with that one to a Christian Science practitioner. I went without any interest or desire on my part, but I never shall forget the awakening which came to me on that first and second visit. I received the truth quickly and gladly, and what physical troubles I seemed to have at that time (frequent headaches in particular) were healed, though I was not even thinking of my own health. Very soon the realization came to me that my desire to understand the Bible had been answered, and whenever doubt seemed to be present with me, this one thought came so clearly that the doubt was soon dispelled.
This was over three years ago, and the truth has been my remedy for every trouble during that time. It has helped me to overcome much fear, anxiety, self-consciousness, criticism, and many wrong thoughts, which have been replaced by thoughts of love, peace, and trust in God. The truth, as found in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, was given to me, and it is my duty, my privilege, and my joy to work out my own salvation by following its teaching so far as I understand it. I am truly thankful to God for leading me to Christian Science, and grateful to our Leader for proving that this truth is a practical help to the world.— Ipswich, Mass.
