Before I became interested in Christian Science, at the age of twenty-one, I had all my life been a victim of asthma, from which I never expected to get relief. When invited to attend a Christian Science testimony meeting I accepted, with the thought that I might be entertained; but I did not dream that I would become seriously interested. However, I was deeply impressed with the happy earnestness of the people I met, and so enjoyed the meetings that I went back again and again. I did not believe in the physical healing, but finally decided to get "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy and study the subject for myself. I surely have reason to be thankful that I did so, because through its study I was healed of asthma, and found a staff upon which I could safely lean. That was in 1895, and the ailment has never returned.
When I last talked with my mother she expressed gratitude for the good health that had come to me through Christian Science, and told me that because of asthma and other weaknesses that prevailed during my childhood and youth, she and my father never expected me to live to become of age. Now, with the help of Christian Science, I have passed that point by many years, with increasing good health, resorting to its truths alone in case of physical need. Every time I have called upon Christian Science for help my prayer has been answered.
About twelve years ago I suffered from a severe attack of rheumatism and struggled along for several weeks, wishing to make the demonstration of healing unaided by a practitioner. But one night, when in great pain and seeing no change for the better, I felt that I should no longer delay calling for help. After the telephone message was sent relief came quickly, and I was enabled to rest peacefully after many nights of suffering. Within a few weeks the trouble was completely destroyed and the inflamed members became normal. The second experience, which came a little less than three years ago, was an attack similar to the first, except that it lasted only about ten days. While the pain was as severe as in the former case, the wrong condition was destroyed without calling for outside help. One day as I was striving to realize the truth of being while walking along the street with much inconvenience, the suggestion came to me that I was foolish not to obtain some mechanical contrivance to help in my walking. The thought of seeking material aid, even to the extent of walking with a cane, seemed to shock me out of the mesmeric condition into which I had fallen. It then came to me clearly that man is not controlled by any law seemingly promulgated by mortal mind, and that he does not depend upon blood for his life or well-being. The result was practically instantaneous. The pain lessened and faded away, the muscles lost their rigidity, the walking became natural, and in a few hours all the soreness was gone; and it has never returned.
