It is difficult for a Christian Scientist to enter at once into his full heritage with Christ, and nearly impossible for him to tell one unacquainted with Christian Science all the good which this teaching has brought into his life. Healing from physical ills is the most easily comprehended of the Christian Scientist's many blessings, and he therefore usually tells of such healing when asked to give a reason for his faith. The one healed by this means finds himself debtor for the greater blessing of an uplifted heart.
Christian Science was first brought to my attention by a young man who was calling at our home. I was at that time, and had been for a week, suffering from an attack of stomach trouble, to which I had been subjected for many years without receiving any relief from medicine. I had been told by one doctor that there was no permanent cure for it, but that it could be relieved at times by various remedies. I had been taking medicine all the week, but without any effect. Thinking the young man might know of something that I had not taken, I asked him what was good for this ailment, and he recommended Christian Science. I then asked how that could help me. To the best of his understanding he tried to explain, and I immediately became interested. During the few moments of conversation I was entirely freed from pain. Some two months later I realized that I had not had another attack, and I then began to wonder what Christian Science was.
For fifteen years I had been a semi-invalid on account of a cough which troubled me continually. I had constant medical attention for all those years, but received no permanent relief. I was at this time, and had been for the past three years, under the care of a throat specialist, who had done everything known to materia medica to help me. The next experiment was to operate on the throat. I had tried various other treatments,— electric, oxygen, change of climate,— many doctors and medicines, etc., but had become thoroughly discouraged, since I could not even attend an entertainment or a service of any kind without making a disturbance by coughing. The night air, the dampness, and the wind all seemed to affect me. I was unable to sleep well, and life seemed a constant struggle. I often wondered what I had done to be so severely punished, though I know now it was not what I had done but what I had not done.
