There is a story of ten lepers who were healed by Christ Jesus, and only one of them, "when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God." It has come to me that I too should "turn back" to acknowledge the benefits which I have received through Christian Science, and give it the glory due. All my life I had not been well or strong, and finally I was taken with a sudden attack of a peculiar weakness in the abdomen. A physician pronounced the trouble appendicitis, and a year later I was operated on for this ailment; but the operation was unsuccessful, although I got up and began to teach school a few months later, in the fall. The next spring, however, I had a decided breakdown, and was ill in bed over a week before I could be taken home.
For over a year and a half after that I was ill almost continually, the doctor coming every four days without any appreciable benefit. I had reached the point where I was utterly discouraged and dejected, and I prayed for help to come in some form, no matter what. Soon after this I received a long letter from a friend to whom I had not written for some time, saying that recently he had felt so strongly my need of help that he was going to urge me to study Christian Science, for he felt sure I could be helped. It seemed to me that this was an answer to my prayer, although it was far from what I expected.
I was wearing glasses with a complex lens for a structural defect of the eye and far-sightedness. The oculist had said I would always have to wear them, and I had proved to my own satisfaction that I could not leave them off without a severe headache. In my weakened condition my eyes were troubling me more than anything else, and as they were considered incurable, I said to myself that if there was anything in Christian Science, I would find out by trying it for my eyes. I had not yet seen a copy of Science and Health, but my friend faithfully wrote, explaining the teachings of Science. I also had a few copies of the Sentinel. I did not yet have much understanding of the Science, but I had firm faith that it was the truth. I was hungry for something to show me why I lived and was so unhappy; and I clung to the thought that if God could cure my eyes, then I should have some foundation to work upon. It was a wonderful experience, for in two weeks, with no help but my prayers, I had gradually left off my glasses until I had laid them away for good; and I had not experienced a headache in the mean time. It was a revelation to me. I think that I then had a first gleam of peace, for I had had many sorrows.
