Four years ago I was engaged in evangelistic work among the mountains north of Bentonville, Ark. The work seemed to be prospering, and afforded me much pleasure both in mind and heart.
During the summer of 1911 a friend, who was at the time in my home, was healed of tuberculosis through Christian Science treatment when seemingly about to pass on. I was inclined to ascribe this healing to the climate, but there was another effect attending it which could not be so easily disposed of. He became more unselfish, spiritually minded, and lovable than I had ever known him to be. Though much prejudiced against Christian Science I began at once to read the text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, in order to discover what had produced so marvelous a change, and the spiritual illumination which attended the reading of this wonderful book will never be forgotten. Some things in it antagonized me, but for the most part I drank it in as "a dry and thirsty land, where no water is."
I began to read with the thought that if Christian Science can change a man's character in a few weeks, it must contain some vital truth that could be used to advantage in the ministry; but it soon began to dawn on me that Christian Science requires an absolute change of viewpoint and that I was standing at the dividing of the ways. It became impossible to go on in the old way after knowing the new, and my heart was filled with anguish at the thought of leaving the church of my fathers. I was proud of that church; twenty-five years of my life had been spent in its ministry, and the friendships of a lifetime were largely among that people. How could I leave it? I would be regarded as fickle-minded and as a traitor to the cause. Many of my friends would not understand my action. Could I afford to sacrifice their friendship and even their respect? Would the change enable me to do more for my fellow men than to go on in the old way? These were some of the thoughts that crowded my mind and seemed to tear my very heart. My decision was soon made and my change was published to the world. It brought down an avalanche of disapproval, and we have had to drink of the cup of persecution to some extent; but these things are too small to be mentioned when we take into consideration the joy, peace, health, and happiness that Christian Science has brought to us.
