In deep gratitude I blend my voice with the great song of praise and thanksgiving to God, sung by so many thousands today, for His truth, revealed to us through the faithful work of Mrs. Eddy. Words are weak, but the expression of the spiritual sense is great indeed. Truly I have been brought out of darkness into light, and by this light I am now discerning the "real," the creation of God. In expressing my gratitude I can only say, Blessed be the Lord God omnipotent, for out of the mire He has raised me, and led my feet into the way of peace.
In the hope that it may help others, I will briefly state my condition. As a child I was brought up in luxury and became extremely sensitive. Even up to early manhood, an unkind look would seemingly pierce my heart. This sensitiveness utterly separated me from my brothers and sisters (my parents had passed on in my boyhood). I traveled several times around the world and visited many unfrequented spots, searching for happiness. I joined three different churches without finding what I wanted. In the San Francisco earthquake I passed through seemingly terrible suffering and came out of it a nervous wreck.
I have received many kindnesses from doctors intheir efforts to help me, and though these were unavailing, still I am most grateful to them. I tried everything, until fear became so great that I could not stay alone. Here Christian Science was recommended to me by a doctor, but I was very bitter toward it,—why, I do not know, for I knew absolutely nothing of it, yet deemed it fit only for mentally deranged people. I will not speak of my suffering, but one night, as I sat up in bed, trying to get through the night by reading a novel which belittled Christian Science, I found myself mentally fighting on the side of this teaching, and then all at once I realized that Christian Science was true. Great joy filled my heart. I went to sleep at once, but awakened in the morning thinking what was the use—I could not be perfectly good! However, with a hope within me, I hurried to the Christian Science reading-room and propounded my question to the librarian: "Do you have to be perfectly good to be a Christian Scientist? If so, it is no use for me to try, or to buy books." A gentle answer dispelled the gloom at once. I am very grateful to that librarian for the help accorded me so freely. I am also deeply grateful for the blessings of the library and for all the Christian Science publications, for this leaven which is so rapidly reaching every heart.
