It is eleven years since I took up the study of Christian Science. I was at that time in great need of physical healing. I had suffered for fifteen years from serious stomach trouble, accompanied by a chronic bowel disorder, and, later, from neuritis and heart trouble, and was consequently a physical wreck when Christian Science found me. I had exhausted every material means in an effort to regain health, going from one sanitarium to another, taking courses of baths and trying everything that the medical profession had to offer, including electrical treatments, osteopathy, and chiropractic; but all to no avail. I finally underwent a major surgical operation for ulcers of the stomach. Through this I barely lived; and to my great disappointment, it did not cure me of my ailments.
It was nearly a year later when a friend said that it was unnecessary for me to suffer, as I could be healed through Christian Science; and I finally decided to give it a trial, although my faith in it was very weak. I employed a practitioner, and soon noticed some improvement. Although the practitioner advised me not to talk about it, yet after three weeks' treatment I was so delighted with my progress that I was telling my friends about it; and I discharged the practitioner, thinking that I could stand alone. I soon found myself getting worse, however; and when after a couple of weeks I asked for treatment again, the practitioner seemed to be unable to get another foothold. After many weeks I became discouraged and employed another practitioner, who also seemed unable to give me any relief. After several months I was ready to give up in despair, feeling that Christian Science was not for me; for if it was, why did it not heal me?
I then turned again to materia medica; but while following that treatment I became gradually worse. After several weeks my husband urged me to return to Christian Science, saying that others had been healed and I could be also, and that if one practitioner did not help me I should keep trying until I found one who did. So, after five weeks' experience with material remedies, I consulted a third practitioner. I then read the Bible and the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, almost constantly, praying and working with the practitioner, until gradually my healing came. As I received the understanding, and learned to know that God made everything good and that food cannot injure His children, I received my healing. Very slowly I worked out of the false belief of food being injurious.
