I turned to Christian Science as a last resort. If there had been any other way open it would have been gladly accepted, for I thought I was very much opposed to Christian Science. I had reached the point where I had exhausted every method available to the medical profession, and faced a life of helpless invalidism, which was more terrifying to me than the past years of suffering, since I had no means of support other than my own efforts.
I had returned in October from three months' treatment in a northern hospital, from which I had been dismissed with the verdict that nothing could be done for me. From that time until February, I struggled with the question, "Will I be eternally lost if I turn to Christian Science?" Finally I decided to try it, since it could be no greater detriment than suicide, which I was contemplating. With this decision a practitioner was called. It did not take him long to realize the situation, and he told me, much to my surprise, that there was no question about my receiving physical relief, but that I should first feel assured that I was satisfied, from a religious standpoint, with the step I was taking. In answer to my question as to how this could be accomplished, he replied, "Through study."
I had been a member of a Protestant church for years and was considered a very thorough Bible student, having had hopes of becoming a foreign missionary, but being unable to pass the physical examination. I was willing to read in the Bible wherever the practitioner directed, but stubbornly refused to read the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. Then he said to me: "You say you have read the Bible for many years. Did it ever occur to you that perhaps you do not understand its teaching?" When I still refused, he went away, saying he could not come again under those circumstances.
