In my childhood I became convinced that, as Mrs. Eddy has stated, "Truth is revealed. It needs only to be practised" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 174). This conviction resulted from two healings: first, that of my mother, a recovery that seemed almost miraculous after years of invalidism, despite the constant, although unavailing ministrations of physicians. Secondly, my own immediate recovery from a severe attack of stiff neck, following my realization of the perfection of God's creation, after a few minutes of earnest study of Science and Health.
Although I did not have the privilege of attending Christian Science services during my girlhood, I did have the loving guidance of a neighbor, whose clear understanding of the ever-presence and constant availability of God's protecting care brought about many healings in our home. One of these occurred on the night of my graduation from high school, when, after several days of suffering from laryngitis, my voice suddenly became so clear that I was enabled to sing a difficult solo with no effort and no trace of previous discord. On my first Sunday at college I joyfully began to attend Christian Science services. For the gracious and helpful hospitality offered to college girls, year after year, in that church, I have ever been thankful. I received much help in my studies through the increasing understanding of the fact that man's intelligence is the reflection of divine intelligence. Moreover, from the day I went to college I have turned to Science for healing in every physical need.
Many healings have come quickly —from tonsillitis, quinsy sore throat, sprained ankle; others have come slowly, for at times the task of overcoming human sense has seemed almost impossible of achievement. For eighteen years a most stubborn manifestation of salt rheum made it necessary for me to wear my hair low over both ears. This discord at length disappeared in a few days, at a time when I had entirely forgotten it in an endeavor to help a practitioner, who knew nothing of this condition, but was working in Science most effectively to free me from another acute disease of a very different nature. What cause for gratitude to know that, all through the years of seemingly vain effort, every loving thought of man's perfection which had been poured into my consciousness in an effort to destroy this belief had been preparing the way for the final complete eradication of the difficulty! To-day, I am coming to realize the depth of these glorious statements of our Leader: "The warfare with one's self is grand" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 118); and, "The very circumstance, which your suffering sense deems wrathful and afflictive, Love can make an angel entertained unawares" (Science and Health, p. 574).
