I am very thankful for having been led to Christian Science, which I have been studying and practicing to the best of my understanding for over six years. I find in it an ever present help in time of need. When I applied to Christian Science it was a case of extremity. I had been suffering from stomach trouble, catarrh of the head, and constipation in a very serious form, also from what the doctors called neuritis and sciatic rheumatism; and then at last I had blood poisoning. I went to some of the best doctors and took treatment for over ten years, getting only temporary relief. Then I went to Hot Springs, Arkansas, to the baths, but came away from there worse than when I went. I went back to medicine again, and continued to grow worse. Then I tried osteopathy without results. As I was having blind spells at this time, I went to an optician and had my eyes examined. He told me there was nothing the matter with my eyes, but advised me to go to a chiropractor; which I did. My eyes got all right, but physically I was getting worse.
Some time before that I had heard of Christian Science, so I went to a library and borrowed the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, and read it through. I thought the Christianity it taught was the truest I had ever read or heard of, but I did not understand the healing part of it. However, when I did not get any permanent relief from medicine I made up my mind to try Christian Science. I therefore went to a practitioner and asked for help. I shall never forget her kindness and patience, for I knew very little about the Bible. I did not improve at first, but got understanding enough to prevent my giving up Christian Science. I was full of fear, but that was overcome one morning while taking treatment. Then I began to improve, and in a few weeks was able to go to work; and I have been working ever since.
I am thankful not only for the healings but for the spiritual uplifting and the joy and peace that come from living a Christian life and obeying God's commandments and the Golden Rule, as given by the Master. I have had more happiness in the past six years trying to obey God's commandments than during all the fifty-seven years before I took up Science. I am so thankful to the practitioners who have helped me to understand how to serve God; and to all those dear workers who are writing for our periodicals, from the reading of which I have gotten so much help; and also for the privilege of being a member of a branch church.— Alton, Illinois.
