When christian science with its sweet promise of deliverance came into my life, I was so unhappy I thought I did not want to live. I had been subject to epileptic attacks for fourteen years, had spent all I had for medical treatment, and was dependent on relatives for almost everything. At that point Christian Science was brought to my notice, and a copy of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy was placed in my hands by one who believed that it would help me. Soon after, I attended a Christian Science service, and heard for the first time the spiritual interpretation of the Lord's Prayer. The words, "God leadeth us not into temptation, but delivereth us from sin, disease, and death" (Science and Health, p. 17), seemed meant for me, and proved to be just what I needed. I went home, searched the "little book" for that prayer, and became deeply interested in the study of this new-old idea of God.
That was in 1906; and although it was not physical healing I sought, I have never had the slightest attack of epilepsy since. I have grown from a weak, timid, dependent creature, to be a well and self-supporting woman. I have been benefited in every way, physically, mentally, and spiritually, by Christian Science. About four years after my first healing I was critically ill with malarial fever for weeks, and my family became so anxious that they wanted me to have a doctor; but to this I would not consent. I was so weak I could hardly lift my head from the pillow, but my faith in Christian Science and the messenger that I had chosen to demonstrate its truth was unwavering. The words of Paul expressed my thought, "I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord;" and through loving and faithful work I was healed. I have always looked back with gratitude to this time of testing, because I gained a better understanding of the Christ, Truth, and a firmer foundation on which to build.
I have also had many minor healings, including the healing of influenza, headaches, and gastric dyspepsia; and I have seen in others, through the beneficence of infinite good, instantaneous relief from pain; hemorrhage has been checked; rheumatism has yielded; and pneumonia has vanished "like dew before the morning sunshine" (Science and Health, p. 365). To say that I am grateful for what Christian Science has done for me expresses little. Only by daily efforts to put its teaching into practice can true gratitude be rendered to God, to our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy, and to those faithful students who have so patiently helped me along the way.— Norwich, Conn.
