That truth and love can neither be hidden nor destroyed has been proved to me beyond a doubt. Four years ago I could not see either to read or to write, and as I had always been very fond of reading this was a great affliction. An oculist informed me that I had what is known as double astigmatism and should have been wearing glasses for years; but although he worked long and faithfully, he could not fit my eyes, and I felt very much discouraged.
Shortly after this a Christian Science practitioner called at our home, and when about to leave handed me "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, telling me to keep it as long as I wanted to. I said that she did not need to leave the book as I could not see to read, but she said for me not to think anything about it. I had heard a man lecture against Christian Science and say its adherents were a very heartless, unsympathetic people, and after her remark I was convinced that this was true. I made up my mind that I did not even want to see the book, so decided to hide it, which I did; but somehow that book seemed to have a great was of coming to my notice, no matter where I put it. I became so vexed that I thought of burning it, but did not feel that I had any right to do that, as the lady had only lent it to me. Then I thought of finding some one to lend it to; but no, it would not be right to encourage some one else to read what I did not want to read myself. At last a happy thought came: I would just carry the book back to the lady who had left it. That plan, however, had to be dismissed also, as she lived several blocks away, and at that time I was troubled with what the doctors called chronic appendicitis, and walking even a short distance caused me great suffering; so once again the book was put out of sight.
Shortly after this I was going on a three days' journey, and in preparing for the trip many a heartache was experienced as I packed away books I should have loved to read on the train. When everything was in readiness, Science and Health was still lying there, and hardly knowing what to do with it I finally put it in my traveling bag, feeling that I would not feel sorry about not being able to read that; but the second day on the train I had such a desire to read that I was tempted to look at it anyway. I could only make out a few words now and then, but this gave me plenty of time to study what I did get. After a while a very fine looking woman began talking to me, and she asked me if I had ever tried Christian Science. I replied that I was trying to read the textbook but could not make out much. Then she told me a great many demonstrations she knew about, of many ways in which she had been benefited, and of the help she had given others. I was soon convinced that Christian Scientists were far from being a heartless people, but that they give a helping hand and thought to all in trouble, friends or strangers.
