I wish to express gratitude for Christian Science and for what it is doing for me and mine, as well as for the world in general. The first experience I had with Christian Science was in 1910. While working in the woods I met with an accident that nearly caused the severance of the thumb from my left hand. I was several miles from a doctor, but the people by whom I was employed were interested in Christian Science and immediately began work for me. The accident took place at seven o'clock in the morning, and it was half past one in the afternoon before I was able to get to a surgeon. His suggestion was the removal of the thumb, but this I would not permit. The work was continued for me in Christian Science, with the result that I still have the thumb, and, except for a scar, it is as good as ever.
For several years I did what I find many others have done—I failed to show my gratitude for this wonderful help. But again it was proved for me that "man's extremity is God's opportunity." In 1914 we had a wonderful proof of the efficacy of Christian Science at the birth of our first boy, when most inharmonious conditions were entirely overcome. To-day the child is a member of the Christian Science Sunday School.
After this, one naturally would think that Christian Science would be everything to him who had received such blessings, but—as previously— ingratitude was shown and a physician consulted on numerous occasions until August, 1923, when the burden of worry and sin and all of their attendant conditions again forced me to listen to the words of the Christ, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Shamefaced and weary, with many discordant conditions facing me in business, home, and elsewhere, I felt as if there were no way out. But, thank God, with the wonderful, patient help of a loving practitioner, the discords were met and mastered; and the following are just a few of the healings which resulted: sin was overcome; sickness, which included the most severe attack of sore throat, grippe, and fear that I ever have had were met in three days; the smoking habit of over twenty years was instantaneously healed; an almost ungovernable temper has been placed under control; perfect order and harmony have been brought about both in home and in business; all of our wants have been supplied, when these wants have been legitimate; and patience, which was sadly lacking, has been established.
