It is with a deep sense of gratitude that I tell of the great debt I owe to Christian Science. After the loss of my mother at an early age, I lived for several years under conditions not well adapted to mold a strong-willed, maturing mind. Then I accepted an invitation to visit an aunt who was a Christian Scientist. While at her home I was healed perfectly of a desperate disease. After my return home, the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, was sent me. I soon discovered it was a book that had to be studied in order to be understood, so I put it aside. Not long afterwards I left home, determined to assert my independence and to prove it. I won my way through many difficulties, and became successful in a worldly sense. During the time of struggle and adjustment, my mind had been occupied; but when my ideal was achieved, thought turned outward and dwelt upon what seemed the manifest injustice, strife, and jealousy in the business world. I became morbid, sick at heart, and, finally, physically ill. The ailment was pronounced an incurable bowel trouble. When all material means, including osteopathy, had failed to give relief, I decided to go back to the dear one who had helped me before. When she exacted of me a study of the Christian Science textbook, I tried to make it plain to her that I did not want to be a Christian Scientist; but her only answer was, "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." I then studied faithfully; the Comforter did come; and I was healed.
Some years later, while employed in a department store, I underwent compulsory vaccination, which culminated in a form of blood poisoning which manifested itself in obnoxious and disfiguring eruptions on my face. Life became unbearable; and, as if to add the last drop of bitterness, my employer objected to my appearance and asked me to resign. In this extremity there seemed to be no one to turn to, as my aunt had passed on. In this dark hour of my development, spiritual Love was much nearer than I knew, and provided one who for the succeeding five years patiently bore with my impatience and lovingly led me out of the world's maze of business concepts and the world's sense of pleasure into the Christlike thought of pure joys and simple trust. It is difficult to speak adequately of the never failing love of this dear helper and the gradual unfoldment of the sense of God's allness. Apart from employment, all my time,—morning, noon, and night, —was given to the earnest search to know God aright. Through this study I saw more and more clearly that in God's allness there is no place for disease, persecution, or trials, and that these conditions are the effect of wrong mental states, such as impatience, resentment, self-righteousness, self-seeking, self-pity, pride, and fear. While the healing was slow, extending into years, the outward evidence of disease faded gradually, as my thinking changed. For this true method of thinking I am devoutly grateful to Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science.
I have had many proofs of the healing power of the Word, as understood and applied in Christian Science. Many blessings have come to me through church membership and church activities, and I have the privilege of being a member of The Mother Church. For all this my continued consecrated effort in working for God will be but a slight expression of the gratitude I feel.— Minneapolis, Minn.
