A few years ago I first learned of the teachings of Christian Science. My father was a physician and I knew no Scientists in my native city. From earliest childhood I had great reverence for religion, but seemed unable to derive from it the inspiration I needed. When the greatest, sorrow of my life came to me in the passing on of both my parents, all natural ties seemed to draw me back to their religion, and for two years I tried to take a real interest in it, but in vain. I longed for a church in every activity of which my heart could be, but had not found such a one.
At this tune increasing signs of weakness began to appear in my constitution, which had been strong in most respects. The first serious trouble was with my eyes. During my college course I was extremely careful, as I had always been told that I would have to wear glasses sooner or later for a structural defect. While traveling in the East, an eminent specialist told me I had granulated lids in addition to the other trouble, and that glasses would have to be worn constantly for the remainder of my life. I believed him implicitly and followed his directions. A month after returning to my home, as my eyes troubled me again I went to one of the best known specialists in Texas. He did not agree with the former diagnosis and changed my glasses.
I had suffered from catarrh all my life, and was subject to severe colds with accompanying hoarseness. During the December following the above events, I contracted a cold that developed into an abscess in the cavity over the left eve. The next six months contained a series of nasal and optic troubles. Three operations on the nose were performed during the winter months, and in the spring my glasses had to be changed again. From the nervous strain of these acute conditions, my general health became much impaired. In my profession as a teacher my eyes had to be used constantly, and this seemed to aggravate their condition. The specialist hoped they would be all right after the next and fourth operation on the nose, but this did not prove to be the case and several weeks of rigorous treatment gave me no relief. The nasal trouble was less acute during the summer weather, but the chronic catarrh was declared hereditary and incurable.
