During the spring of 1912 I was in a much run-down condition, which manifested itself in a numbness in my left side from the hip down, and caused a great fear that I would lose the use of that side. Through the influence of friends I was brought to a willingness to send for a copy of Science and Health and see what the reading of it would do for me. A few years previous I had read this book with a thought of criticism, and had gained no understanding of it. This time I read with an earnest desire for guidance and help, and peace and joy and health came to me before the book was finished. I had not told my mother that I had taken up the study, but in less than three weeks she had twice spoken to me of my much improved condition, first in regard to my eating, as I had for years suffered from stomach trouble, and again of my gain in strength. Sick headache and catarrh of many years' standing have since disappeared; in fact, many other demonstrations have been made, sometimes through my own realization of the all-power and ever presence of God, and at others through the help of a practitioner or fellow students.
On December 22, 1916, I fell heavily on my left hand, badly spraining the middle fingers, and tearing the ligaments. I immediately declared the truth, and returned to my work of hanging the clothes. The next morning the hand was badly swollen, discolored, and painful, so I telegraphed a practitioner and received a week's treatment. Much of the swelling disappeared at once, but I failed to do my mental work as faithfully as I should have done it, so a few weeks passed before the healing was complete. At no time, however, did I fail to do all my housework, as well as the night office work.
My spiritual growth seems slow, yet I know that when one lives up to the understanding he has, the blessings and healings always come. I am truly thankful to God and grateful to Mrs. Eddy for the understanding we get through the study of the Bible and Science and Health.— Scandia, Kan.
