From my earliest recollection I was religiously inclined, and I had a standard of pure living to which I tried to attain. As I grew into young womanhood, however, I was influenced to do things of which I did not approve, and found myself in one continuous round of gaiety. I soon grew tired of this, and after drifting about for a while I became, in the orthodox manner of speaking, "converted" and then united with the church. This gave me a field of activity which I most heartily enjoyed, and I soon found myself taking part in all branches of the church work.
In a few years an opportunity presented itself for a deeper consecration; in other words, to leave my home and friends and go into the deaconess work. After taking the Biblical course I entered the hospital and took the complete training for a nurse. When the time for the consecration of deaconesses drew near, the superintendent wanted me to join the class, but I did not feel that I could conscientiously do so, as I was not ready to say that I would dedicate my life to this work. I, however, continued nursing, until at the end of four years I was a physical and mental wreck; then I obtained a leave of absence and went to my sister's home, as my mother had passed on and the old home was broken up.
At this period, Christian Science was presented to me for the second time, but I could not accept it, as I was positive my own religion was the true one. To strengthen my belief I read the Bible constantly, reading the Old Testament consecutively. About six months of my vacation had elapsed when my eyes were opened by reading a testimony in the Journal written by a member of my own church. She had a crippled arm, but was freed from this bondage. She was able also by means of her new-found understanding of God to heal instantaneously her daughter who had been seriously ill. This brought to me a great sense of humility and the conviction that I was not so nearly right as I had thought I was. I sent for a copy of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, and this, with the Bible, was my daily food. I soon realized that I was healed and had a splendid opportunity to prove it. Friends and neighbors came to me for the truth, until I felt I must increase my own knowledge. I entered the class of one of Mrs. Eddy's students, where I learned that there is no good separate from God.
