The wonderful healing power of Christian Science was manifested to me about seven years ago, when hope for relief from a miserable physical condition had almost been abandoned. I had become afflicted with paralysis as a result of overwork, worry, and stomach trouble, and had reached a condition where I could walk only with great difficulty. Any attempt to take a step of the usual length only aggravated the trouble, and so I dragged myself about as best I could, meanwhile suffering incessant pain.
I was able to eat only the simplest of infant foods, and had become greatly emaciated. This condition had continued for a year, during which time I had been under the care of several physicians, one a specialist of note, and had faithfully tried all the various remedies that had been suggested by both physicians and friends, only to realize that I was growing rapidly worse. A long sea voyage was also advised and taken, but I returned from it with no change for the better.
Realizing that my condition was depressing to my family, my little boys complaining that papa never romped with them any more, I decided to visit the middle West in the hope that the hot humid climate of midsummer would benefit me. It was while spending a few days in Peoria, Ill., that I met a gentleman who, one morning, after an acquaintance of two or three days, asked me if I was not afflicted with paralysis. I replied that I was. "Well," said he, "I am not a Christian Scientist, have never read the literature or attended a meeting, but there is a man in this city who was so ill that he had to go about on crutches, and he is now a well man, and I am told Christian Science cured him." He then tried to make me promise him that if he verified the report as given, I would also give Christian Science a trial. He was so insistent that I finally agreed I would do so, though it was with hardly any hope that the report was really true, or if so that I would receive a like release from my sufferings. He lost no time, however, in reaching a telephone and calling up the gentleman's residence. He was. not at home, but his wife said that not only was the report true, but that she also had been healed of a malignant growth. He obtained the name of the practitioner and insisted upon conducting me to his office at once. I had given him my promise, so I went with him, but I told him a few minutes later, and the practitioner also, that if my healing was dependent upon much faith, I feared the treatment would not be very successful in my case.
