Ten years ago Christian Science saved me from an operation for tubercular glands. I was very grateful for this, and from my first treatment to this day have never had a doctor or used a drop of medicine, not even a hand lotion, although previous to that time I had suffered from September to May each year with chapped hands. But it was not until after the great privilege of class instruction, about six years ago, that I was able to help myself instead of always calling a, practitioner. Then I realized that the "old man with his deeds" must be laid off to make room for the new man, and with the realization came the question, What must I lay off? I found so many things to lay off, so many weeds encumbering the ground, that the task seemed hopeless; but this was only discouragement, and Mrs. Eddy's words on page 329 of Science and Health, "To be discouraged, is to resemble a pupil in addition, who attempts to solve a problem of Euclid, and denies the rule of the problem because he fails in his first effort," soon drove out this argument of the evil one.
Self-righteousness is perhaps the most clever masquerader of any of mortal mind's counterfeits. Women who have been told from childhood that they are good, find it rather hard to search themselves for evils; but a study of Jesus' words makes it clear that a mortal cannot be good. Thus I came to see my need of something more than physical help. As this mental change took place, the physical change was so great that friends whom I had not seen for some time would exclaim upon meeting me, "Why, I scarcely know you!"
From the age of seven, when I had a serious illness, until a little understanding of Truth came to me, I was an anemic, weak, sickly creature, subject to terrible headaches, which were growing worse and of more frequent occurrence. Now I rejoice in strength and health, am able to do whatever it seems my duty to do, and weigh much more than ever before. I pray with the psalmist, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me," for only with a clean heart can we show our gratitude to our dear Leader, who was so pure in heart that she saw God; so great of heart that she loved all the world.— Denver, Col.
