I had long known of Christian Science before it became of vital importance to me. During school and college years, I frequently attended Christian Science church services and lectures. It all seemed pleasantly inoffensive, but quite remote from my actual experience. I accounted for what I thought was Christian Science on a psychological basis, considering it a form of autosuggestion. During a period of great trial, a loving Christian Science friend lent me a copy of the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. Although I read it, the book seemed to make no impression upon me. But some seed of Truth must have taken root in my consciousness, for a number of years later, when sorrows had multiplied, the light came. I had awakened from the second surgical experience within a year to be told by the doctors that I must hasten and recover sufficiently to undergo a third similar experience, after which I should be well. One afternoon, as I lay alone in my room at the hospital, the nurse having left me for a short time, the healings of the New Testament came to me. This thought struck me with startling vividness: "If Christ Jesus were to come into this room this minute, I should be well! I do not know why or how, but I should be well! It would be impossible to be sick in his presence." The next thought came: "It could not be his physical presence which would make the difference. It must be something he knew, or did, or had, which would do the work." Then the thought followed: "If he used a divine Principle, operative in the universe at that time, it must still be operative. Then I can be well!" In a few weeks I was perfectly well, with the prospect of a third operation entirely forgotten. I later saw that my recovery must have dated from that afternoon when I had been "born again" into the truth of Christian Science on reading its textbook.
A short time afterward, when I was a member of a house party, I came upon a copy of The Christian Science Journal which had been left by a previous guest. Amid the laughter of my companions, I announced that I was going to read it to see what it was like. Its first article opened the very gates of heaven for me. That same afternoon I sent a check to The Christian Science Publishing Society for a copy of Science and Health. When it came, I literally ate up the "little book;" I read it night and day. It was as food to a starving person.
After the first blaze of glory had passed away somewhat, I discovered that there were steep mountains to be climbed; and I have been trying to climb them in the light of divine Love for nearly eleven years. It has truly been proved in my own experience that "Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way" (Science and Health, p. 454). I have discovered that human intellectualism, social position, professional prestige —all are as dust and ashes compared with the life of the Spirit; that Christian Science is the first in life, and that, in the degree that this is recognized, "all these things" are "added." Whereas once the mention of Mrs. Eddy's name was objectionable to me, I have now only a great depth of loving gratitude to her. Membership in The Mother Church and class instruction are blessings for which I give thanks.— Lowell, Massachusetts.
