In August, 1908, my attention was called to Christian Science by a dear sister, who wrote to me that she was having treatment, and at the same time requested me to procure a copy of the text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, as she wanted me to read it and tell her what I thought of it. I had never been strong, and for ten years previous to this time had been constantly under the care of physicians, seven in all, two of whom were well-known specialists of New York and Baltimore. Of this number, only two agreed in their diagnosis of the case, pronouncing it a serious disease of the stomach, and recommending a surgical operation as the only hope of a cure. While my family hesitated, owing to the serious nature of the operation and my weakened condition, I myself readily consented, as I would have consented to anything that held out a hope of relief from suffering. The operation was performed and pronounced successful, yet in three months all the old symptoms had returned, and I then gave up all hope of ever being well; so when I began reading the text-book, about this time, it was with no thought of physical healing for myself, but merely to know what Christian Science teaches. It was not long, however, before I realized that divine Love had led me to investigate the truth, which seemed to me, from the first, to be something I had been looking for all my life. Raised in the Jewish faith, my religion had long since ceased to satisfy me, and it was the theology of Christian Science which first appealed to me.
I had been studying this wonderful book almost constantly for about two weeks when I had one of the severe attacks of suffering to which I had been subject, and not until then did I give much thought to the healing as set forth in the text-book; but when it did occur to me, I put aside all material remedies and refused to call a physician. I read the textbook and tried to apply its teachings according to my slight understanding, with the result that two days later I was well, and attended a Christian Science service for the first time. There has never been any return of the old trouble since then. I continued my study of the text-book, and in two months laid aside eyeglasses which had been worn constantly for fifteen years, during which time I had been treated by three different oculists for a very painful and complicated eye trouble. The verdict of them all was that I would never be able to do without glasses, yet I have had no occasion to use them for the past three years. The pain was entirely overcome and my sight became perfect.
Since then I have had many wonderful proofs of the healing power of Truth, for all of which I am indeed grateful; but far above all the physical benefits is the spiritual help, the better understanding of God, and the realization of His ever-presence which has come to me through the study of our text-book and the other literature provided by our beloved Leader, whose pure and consecrated life made it possible for her to demonstrate again God's power, as did the Master centuries ago, and so bless all mankind. My gratitude to God and my thankfulness to Mrs. Eddy can never be expressed in words, but by trying to live in accordance with the teaching of Christian Science I hope to bring into the lives of others some measure of the joy and peace which has come to me "through the revelation and demonstration of life in God" (Science and Health, p. 45).— Cumberland, Md.
