Soon after I took up the study of Christian Science, a practitioner who was giving me treatments asked me to memorize the "scientific statement of being," as it appears in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy (p.468). I did as requested. A few nights later, some time after retiring, I was awakened with severe pain in the abdomen, and was so surprised at awakening in this condition, I hardly knew what to do for the moment; then I found my self repeating the "scientific statement of being." After beginning to repeat it the second time I fell asleep. I awoke the following morning in a somewhat weakened condition, but able to resume my work; and the trouble soon passed off. Here was the significance of the experience: the pain was severe enough to awaken me out of a sound sleep, but still I was able to realize the truth sufficiently to allay the fear and again get my rest.
A friend in the same hotel had a similar experience a few days later. While his wife was treating him, twice he could feel himself becoming unconscious, but each time he was lifted out of that tendency. Both of these attacks apparently were due to ptomaine poisoning.
Another experience occurred during a night on a train. I had been feeling badly from fever and congestion, so telegraphed for treatment from a practitioner. After going to my pullman berth early and reading awhile, I went to sleep. Some time later I awoke with severe pain in my left side; so severe that I could not study. Though I could recall many references from Mrs. Eddy's writings which seemed to apply to the case, the condition did not respond to my endeavors. I could not lie quietly in any position; and in getting upon my feet in the aisle, the pain was extreme. I did not want to call any one, and could not think of a plan for getting word to a practitioner. Error suggested I was alone; but I put this out of my thought, and began to realize that God was just as present there as anywhere else, though the physical evidence was surely to the contrary. Then the "still small voice" whispered Mrs. Eddy's words in "Retrospection and Introspection" (p.61), "If you fall asleep, actually conscious of the truth of Christian Science,—namely, that man's harmony is no more to be invaded that the rhythm of the universe,—you cannot awake in fear or suffering of any sort." With this I fell into repose, and awoke next morning free from pain; and I was normal again within a very few days.
