For many months there has been a desire to share with others some of the beautiful blessings which have come to me through the understanding and application of the truth of Christian Science as contained in our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy. When Christian Science was first presented to me it was for a physical need. Association with many students of this teaching led me to believe it to be a beautiful religion, but having shut the door on its ability to heal, it seemed to be the very door through which I had to come to a recognition of its practical teachings.
Upon consulting one of the leading dentists of the city with regard to a diseased condition in my mouth, called pyorrhea, it was learned that nothing could be done but to remove all the upper teeth. Another dentist was consulted, and after a series of treatments lasting over a period of some months, and further consultation with the dean of the dental college, a like conclusion was readied. As I was quite overcome at the final decision, the matter was taken up with a friend, who recommended Christian Science treatment. She said, "You are a practical woman and Christian Science should appeal to you." I decided to try it, and a practitioner was selected. From childhood I had stoutly affirmed that God answered our prayers if we did what was right and no prejudices were entertained along any line. As a child I attended the Presbyterian church, and in later years was a constant attendant of church, visiting any in which a good, constructive sermon might be heard, but I never became a member of one and had no denominational prejudices.
The first request made of the practitioner was that she must not expect me to say I was healed if I were not. This she smilingly said would not be done. Words are inadequate to express the beautiful sense of peace and harmony that came into my experience immediately, and without saying anything to the practitioner a copy of Science and Health was purchased. It soon came to me that I could accomplish the healing, and when I advised the practitioner of this fact, her whole face lighted up with joy and she said, "Of course you can, dear." During a period of three months of daily reading it was revealed to me that this was the truth, and there came a great longing for a better understanding of it. Having been a resident of a Middle West city for fourteen years I had made many friends, and this now seemed to interfere with my progress. It was therefore decided to move to some city where I had no acquaintances, so as to grow up in the understanding of this truth unhampered.
