Laboring under the belief of hereditary traits of character, temperament, and diseases, I measured the years of the life I was to live by that of several near relatives who had passed on in early life after much affliction. I believed that I, too, was doomed to the same physical misfortune. I had been a sufferer for years with tonsillitis, biliousness, constipation, headaches, and extreme nervousness. Medicines and many tonics were prescribed for my cure, but gave me no relief. At times life seemed very burdensome, and I was anything but cheerful to be with. Then a great light shone across my path. I was led to attend a lecture on Christian Science, and there for the first time and to my great surprise I learned of the real man—man in the image and likeness of God, upright, strong, with a birthright of dominion, free-born, and subject only to a life without sickness and suffering, a life available now. Joy rang from my heart; and a great vanishing of those false beliefs that had chained me for so many years, took place. Instantly I was healed; the physical complaints abated, and I advanced to a desire to know more of that wonderful word of healing truth which the lecturer told us could be found in the Bible and the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy.
From that time on I was determined to lean on Christian Science as my only staff. That was nearly four years ago, and since then I have never had a return of any of the old sicknesses. I was an inveterate smoker of tobacco in all forms, but was completely healed of this appetite. There was no struggle in accomplishing this healing, as had been the case in times past when I had tried, with a sense of human will power, to put aside tobacco. I had taken my stand, and tobacco was no factor to fear, cling to, or indulge in. Attacks of scarlet fever and influenza have been quickly overcome with the help of a practitioner. In business Christian Science has helped me to a broader activity, to a better understanding of true business success, and is teaching me to exercise greater judgment and resourcefulness, and to be loving, kindly, and considerate in my relations with mankind.
Indeed, I am grateful for the devoted life of our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, for her discovery and gift to the world of Christian Science, "the Comforter which leadeth into all truth" (Science and Health, p. 127). This healing truth was certainly provided for me through her loving and unselfish foresight in establishing The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, its Board of Lectureship, and the branch churches throughout the world organized by faithful workers in the field, and established according to the rules in the Church Manual. To live a life consistent with the teachings of Christian Science is my greatest desire, and the one way by which my gratitude can be fully attested.— Boston, Massachusetts.
