Several years prior to my acceptance of Christian Science, I had been a semi-invalid, suffering constantly from pain, weakness, and fatigue. My mental state was one of complete wretchedness, amounting at times to morbidity, as life did not seem worth living. A number of physicians had tried conscientiously to help me, but none could effect a permanent cure. One specialist informed me that there could be no cure in my case; that I was never to overdo, and that I must rest most of the time. The methods of treatment which were resorted to were many,—a serious surgical operation, electrical treatment, vibratory massage, chiropractic, cold baths, and medical treatment of various kinds.
My early training in a Jewish home had taught me faith in the one God; but I was always reaching out for something which seemed to be lacking; and as a child I used to ask God to show me the truth. Later, I became interested in a Presbyterian church and Sunday school. Thinking this was the truth, I became a member of that church. Soon after this experience, Christian Science was presented to me; but fear of criticism seemed to keep me from accepting it, although I had help in Science at that time and at different times during the years that followed.
Ten years later, during an interval of mental anguish, the thought came to me. If Christian Science has helped so many others, why can't it help me? So I resolved to turn humbly to the study of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, and let God lead me. All I asked for was peace of mind; but oh, the joy to see the discordant physical conditions disappear one by one as the mental state changed. Some of the diseases which have vanished into their native nothingness, through the application of the truth, have been neuritis, nerve exhaustion, chronic liver and gall bladder trouble, rheumatism, neuralgia, hemorrhoids, a misplaced internal organ, sprained ankle, bilious headaches, pleurisy, and influenza. Glasses have also been put off. Some of these healings have been instantaneous; others have taken time.
The mental healing has been that of self-will, self-pity, self-condemnation, sensitiveness, irritability, false pride, impulsiveness, impatience, and resentment. Christian Science has indeed renewed, reclaimed, and regenerated my consciousness to a great extent; and I am confident that as I apply its teachings I shall continue to grow in the "unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." It is difficult for me to express in words just what this beautiful truth means to me. It has replaced discord with harmony, fear and hatred with love, and changed the fear of death to the thought of Life.
I am grateful for the protection Christian Science afforded our son in time of accident, and for his membership in the Sunday school; also for the benefits my husband has derived through the study of Christian Science. For the privilege of membership in The Mother Church and a branch church, for teaching in the Sunday school, and for the privilege of class instruction, I am also grateful, as well as for what Christian Science is doing for all mankind. To our Father-Mother God, to Christ Jesus the Way-shower, to our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, and to all those who have helped me along the way, my gratitude is unbounded. I can best express it in the words of our Leader (Poems, p. 13):—
"My prayer, some daily good to do
To Thine, for Thee;
An offering pure of Love, whereto
God leadeth me."
— Rochester, N. Y.
