After living on the prairies several years, acquiring what I thought were manly habits, and two years in the army, undergoing months of campaigning in the Old World, surrounded by hardships, dangers, and vice, I returned to the United States a wreck, physically and mentally, I had become an incessant cigarette smoker, and, as was common with soldiers, drank to excess on most occasions. As a result of this, my morals were far from what they should have been. I found that my wretched condition separated me from most of my friends. I became utterly without joy, and despondent; and thought seriously of ending it all.
It was while I was in this condition, a little over a year ago,—with few friends, little money, and no work, — that a Christian Science practitioner, whom I had known before, came to my aid and took me into her home. My physical condition grew much worse. I was one day suddenly taken with severe pains in my side, followed by a swelling. Within half an hour, through Christian Science treatment, I was relieved of the violent pain; though I was unnerved and exhausted, and was laid up for a week. From then on divine Love overcame, one by one, many of the errors which had bound me. I became well enough to commence work for myself. I had ceased to smoke or to use alcoholic liquors. I went to an optometrist, because my eyes bothered me, and he told me to stop wearing glasses. My eyes had troubled me ever since boyhood, and I had worn glasses for six years. At present, I am enjoying the best health I have known in years. I was able, lately, to obtain a good position, at a time when openings were unusually scarce. Each day, instead of being a tragedy, is filled with a joy before unknown. It seems very clear to me that love and purity of thought have brought about this change, and have given me life. I am truly grateful to those who have shown me the way.
I know that Mrs. Eddy has shown us in Christian Science the way to gain the healing purification, as taught and demonstrated by Christ Jesus.— St. Paul, Minn.
