To me Christian Science means progress. What I am most thankful for is that in studying Christian Science we are forced to work out our own salvation, because I can see that if this were not so, I should still be leaning on a broken reed, instead of on the truth that makes us free, which is that God is All-in-all.
When I was taken to a Christian Science practitioner, I was prejudiced against Christian Science by statements that had been made by those ignorant of what this Science is; also, I was a member of a denominational church whose minister spoke against Christian Science, influencing me to hold back from letting the truth operate. I was, however, already beginning to think for myself, and had worked out the meaning of Christian Science as the Science of being Christlike. This evidently was the first glimpse of the truth. I consented to have treatments, at the same time privately rebelling against them. But, surely, we cannot serve God and mammon. The time came when a choice had to be made, else there would be disaster; and I chose God, with the result that I was soon healed of constipation and released from the necessity of an operation, which was supposed to be necessary for goiter. Soon I discovered that I was sleeping soundly all through every night without applying my many remedies for the relief of catarrh. As I grew in the understanding of Truth, I decided that glasses were not needed; so I took them off one Sunday night after returning from church. I was playing for the church services at the time, but never wore the glasses again. I do everything, and more than I used to do, without any inconvenience from my eyes.
Many smaller demonstrations were made along the way, all of which gave great joy, as each one was further proof of God's ever-presence. But the greatest joy was when the change for the better began to be seen and acknowledged by others, for that was a sign that I was letting my light shine. Then came the happy day when I could tell the practitioner to discontinue treatment, as I felt able to handle the case myself, which I have done ever since, only occasionally asking for help when a problem seemed hard to understand. I am more than thankful to the kind practitioner who brought me up out of the depths, guided me so patiently and lovingly along the way, and was always ready and willing to give me a helping hand.
