I wish to express my sincere gratitude for Christian Science. I should like especially to give out a word of hope and encouragement to those who may be struggling with what seems to be a stubborn form of error, whether of sin, sickness, sorrow, or lack, with a condition seemingly difficult to heal. That Christian Science can and does heal instantaneously I know and have demonstrated. I have witnessed and experienced quick and instant healings through the application of Christian Science treatment. I wish, however, to relate my first healing in Christian Science, which seemed to take so long. When I look back to this experience and see the wonderful regeneration brought about in me through this wondrous truth, I can now realize the thoroughness of the healing that took place. There were, however, moments when I was tempted to become discouraged, because of the many months it took me to come out of an Egypt of sin and suffering. During all that time I had the constant help of practitioners. To be exact, I had four practitioners, at successive stages of my journey to good health. Each of these loving workers did much to help me along this thorny passage, and I am grateful for each one of them.
That I was led by God during all that time I have had ample proof. The third practitioner who took up my case had to leave town for a time, and I was then led to seek aid from another practitioner, through whose loving work I was finally completely healed, and from whom I later on received class instruction in Christian Science. Now the fact that it took time to bring about my healing was not the fault of Christian Science, nor of the practitioners who aided me so lovingly; but rather was it because there was much cleansing and purifying to be done. Not only had the physical disease to be eradicated, but first many forms of sin, and much selfishness and stubbornness had to be removed before I could glimpse the glorious highway of God, and be led to a useful and healthful life. My condition was like that of a house which had not been occupied or cleaned for some time, and in which much rubbish had been permitted to accumulate. One knows that it takes time and patient work to transform such a house into a dwelling place that may be called home.
It is written in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy (p. 162), "Christian Science brings to the body the sunlight of Truth, which invigorates and purifies;" and this Christ, Truth, did accomplish the necessary cleansing and purifying, so that I was completely healed physically and sufficiently corrected morally to lead a happy, useful, and healthy life from that time on.
