When I first began the study of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, I knew that I had found the truth of which Jesus said, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." My progress at the beginning seemed rapid. Many faults of disposition were destroyed, although many still remained which were not so easy to lay off; and I am still finding myself in constant need of heeding our beloved Leader's warning in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p.128): "Watch, and pray daily that evil suggestions, in whatever guise, take no root in your thought nor bear fruit. Ofttimes examine yourselves, and see if there be found anywhere a deterrent of Truth and Love, and 'hold fast that which is good.'"
I have experienced many physical healings, ailments such as colds, sore throat, a constant hacking cough that I had had for several years, and an irritating condition of one of my hands having yielded to the truth. All these conditions were overcome through reading the textbook.
A healing that stands out very clearly in memory took place at the time of an accident. While I was climbing in the mountains, my foot turned on a rock and the ankle was badly sprained. However, with the aid of my cousin, who was not a Christian Scientist, I managed to reach our cabin. I began at once to apply Christian Science, as we are taught to do in Science and Health, but apparently to no avail. By night my ankle was so badly swollen and painful that I had to be assisted to my room, for I was not able to put my foot on the floor. As my cousin was helping me to my room, she hesitatingly informed me that she had some liniment that she had been wanting to offer to me all day. I of course declined to accept her offer. Retiring, I again picked up Science and Health and opened it at page 323. My eyes fell on these words: "We must recollect that Truth is demonstrable when understood." I had not finished the sentence when I involuntarily exclaimed aloud, "Why, I do understand this truth!" With that affirmation I became suddenly aware that all pain had vanished. Still doubting that such a thing could be possible, I arose from the bed; and to my glad surprise, I found that the soreness had also vanished into its native nothingness and the ankle presented a normal appearance, thus proving to me that the condition had been wholly a mental state instead of a condition of matter.
