Though I had heard of Christian Science for a number of years, beyond admitting its metaphysical value I found no real use for it until a little over four years ago. It was then, after a period of severe business depression, that as a result of the consequent worry, fear, and loss I was taken very ill. The doctors diagnosed my case as one of consumption of the lungs, and held out practically no hope of recovery. This period was marked by the distressing symptoms usually associated with this disease. Only those faced with such a verdict can imagine the hopelessness of it. It was then I realized that my only hope lay in Christian Science, that there alone could I find the healing materia medica could not give.
My mother, a student of Christian Science, had given me a copy of the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, and in this hour of need I asked for it and eagerly began to read. Almost immediately the symptoms were abated: my temperature became normal and remained so, and the pain and coughing ceased. At the end of a week the doctor was puzzled, and later in the next week asked to be allowed to reexamine me. This he did, and stated he could find no trace of the disease. This healing was accomplished by reading the textbook and by the help given to me unconsciously by my mother, whose successful effort to perceive only the perfect offspring of the infinite Father-Mother God was undoubtedly a big factor in my healing. The same symptoms seemed to manifest themselves again about two years later, and then a practitioner pointed out that the disease had never really existed but was merely a false belief. This truth perceived brought the complete healing.
This experience of suffering and disease left me to face conditions which from a material point of view would be called disastrous. My business was ruined. I was penniless, faced with a big burden of debt, no visible income, and the upkeep of my home. For two years my wife and I battled against a keen sense of lack and discouragement. It was a time during which we proved the truth of Mrs. Eddy's words in Science and Health (p. 22), "Love is not hasty to deliver us from temptation, for Love means that we shall be tried and purified."
