From the time I was a small child I had been taught to look upon Christian Science as something to be shunned. After graduating from high school I was employed by a Christian Scientist whose wife and daughter were members of the local branch church. All my life I had been ill and had spent a great deal of my time in bed, and I was constantly taking medicine; but my suffering was never eliminated. When I went to work at this office, my employer asked me why I did not try Christian Science. This irritated me so that I told him never to mention that subject to me again.
I had been a very active worker in one of the so-called orthodox churches, but was beginning to lose interest, and whenever I attended services it was from a sense of duty and not from desire. After about three years, a member of my employer's family had a beautiful healing in Christian Science, and I knew what the doctor's verdict had been from those who heard of her condition. This so aroused my curiosity that I began asking questions, and the answers were such that no doubt was left with me as to their logic. I would go home and study the Bible citations that had been mentioned, and especially the first chapter of Genesis. After a couple of months I was taken with severe cold (which I experienced every winter), with pneumonia. This was on a Sunday, and all day long I pondered over what had been told me, especially thinking about the first chapter of Genesis, where we read that God made man in His image and likeness. The next morning I awoke perfectly free and went to the office. I was asked what I had done to overcome the sickness so quickly, and when the answer was given I was handed money and told to go to the Christian Science Reading Room and purchase a copy of the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, for the office. This I did as quickly as possible, and on my return I began to read it. I had not read long before I was so interested I did not want to stop. Just through this reading and attending the church services glasses that I had worn for some time were laid aside.
During the epidemic of influenza in 1918, I was seized with this trouble. I was able with my own work to overcome it to such an extent that I could go to a neighboring city to the office where I was then employed. After several days, while at the office I became quite ill and called a practitioner at home. I left the office and started on the first interurban car for my home. I recognized that I had pneumonia, because of experiences with it before coming into Christian Science. As I was the only one in my family who was interested in Christian Science, I went directly to the home of a Scientist friend. By this time, about half past three in the afternoon, I was unable to speak aloud. This friend called the practitioner and told her to come, which she did. I am so grateful to say that by the time the evening meal was served I was able to be up and partake of it with great joy. At bedtime I returned to my home, and my family did not know what had taken place.
