Before knowing of Christian Science I was never happy or satisfied; nothing made me contented, and I saw no prospect of ever having my longing fulfilled. In 1896 I was kicked by a colt and fell flat on my back. For about six years after that I had more or less physical trouble and was taking some kind of treatment most of the time, besides being operated on for stricture of the bowels. In 1903 my attention was called to Christian Science by the change in a friend, who looked happier and talked less of her ills than formerly. When I asked what she was doing, she told me she was having Christian Science treatment. We had a few talks and she loaned me some Sentinels, which I read but did not understand very well. I noticed frequent reference to "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" and felt that my need was to get that book, but did not know how to go about it.
One day my friend brought a copy of the book, and I bought it immediately. At this time I was utterly discouraged; I felt that I never would be quite well again, and having a great fear of death, was looking for something comforting to die by. I opened Science and Health and began to read it, but had not finished half a page of the Preface before I knew that I had found something that would lead me to God. My experience for the next two weeks was the most wonderful I had ever had. I perceived enough of the truth to understand that I was living in and drawing my conclusions from an unreal world instead of the real universe that God created, and I also realized to some extent that God was my Father and Mother and that He created all men equal. These two thoughts so uplifted me that many troubles vanished immediately. At that time I was trying to be fitted for glasses, but stopped and have never worn glasses since. A great fear left me. Many worries and a sense of uncertainty also vanished, and the confidence that I had a place in God's universe filled me. In five weeks I felt like a new person physically, and had given up all medicine except one little pill which I took every night, trying to satisfy myself with the thought that I was not really taking medicine.
In two or three months my husband and I decided to come West, and Science and Health helped me very much, for I understood that God was everywhere and it did not matter where I lived. Upon coming to our present location I decided to make a thorough study of Christian Science. We arrived on Sunday morning and that day I attended a Christian Science service for the first time. I found kind friends, and soon located a reading room and then a practitioner.
