A few years ago I had an experience which seems symbolical of my life before I knew anything about Christian Science. I was staying on a small island off the coast of Maine and was going in a motor boat to another island, five miles distant. It was a clear day, but a stiff southwester produced a very choppy sea. All went merrily for about a mile; then all went wrong. We were tossed about at the mercy of the wind and waves, for our rudder had become detached and the captain could no longer control the little craft. We were now on the crest of a wave, next in the trough of the sea. and were buffeted about for ten minutes before the rudder could be securely fastened and we could make our course again.
My life before I knew the truth as revealed in Christian Science was but flotsam on the sea of life, blown about by every wind of destiny; and I was weary of it all. I could not sleep, and severe indigestion made eating a hard task. I could not find rest anywhere. A friend who had been watching my mental and physical struggle came to me one day and said, "Why don't you try Christian Science?" I replied that I knew nothing about it and had lost all faith in God and man. My friend assured me that Christian Science would not fail me, for she had been quietly studying it and trying to live it for three months, and knew that it was the truth. I called up a practitioner whom I knew, and made an appointment for the next day. I spent some time with her while she explained something of this wonderful Science to me. I grasped enough to show me that I had found what I had been looking and longing for—a logical solution of life and living. I accepted it at once, and have not turned to aught but God from that day to this. For two weeks the practitioner helped me, while I read and thought of this revelation every waking minute. I then felt I could try alone; so I again launched out upon the sea of life, but, oh! all was so changed, and I was so thankful! One by one the ills of the body dropped away, some so easily that I did not know when they left; others went more slowly; and one or two took many months of earnest work to conquer; but I never for one minute lost faith. I knew that absolute reliance on divine Principle will always overcome any and every form of error if one but has that reliance.
I am so grateful to Mrs. Eddy for so lovingly and patiently giving this truth to the world again. On page 487 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" she says, "The understanding that Life is God, Spirit, lengthens our days by strengthening our trust in the deathless reality of Life, its almightiness and immortality." The ability to turn to our Father-Mother God at any time and anywhere has taken away my fear, which was extreme. It is the "still small voice" which we hear in stress or storm saying, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee," which quiets all our fears. My great desire is humbly to do His will and to help others who are storm tossed to find this haven of rest.— Amesbury, Mass.
