Christian Science was first brought to me at a time of great trouble. After a distressing illness my husband passed on, and about ten months later the war started, threatening to deprive me of my sons. My thought was full of resentment and fear, and it is to me no wonder that my health gave way. My sight was the first trouble. My head ached all the time, and I seemed to be going blind. A friend told me of an oculist who had helped her, and I went to see him. He told me I ought to have had glasses from childhood as I had astigmatism badly in both eyes and was also suffering from eyestrain. He gave me two pairs of glasses and told me never to be without them, else the pain would be intolerable. My head got better and I could see; but then other pains began to force themselves on my attention.
I had the doctor for some time, thinking it was only rheumatism, but as the winter came on the pain got too much for me. The doctor again did his best for me, and I got somewhat better. One evening I inquired what the complaint was and he said, "Rheumatoid arthritis." Asked if it could be healed, he said, "No, but we can keep it down." That night I faced the matter alone with God, asking for strength and patience.
Then I met a friend who proved to be a friend indeed, for she told me of Christian Science and talked of God's love for all. She asked me to read the books she would send and said I could be healed simply by reading the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, and trying to put into practice what I read. That afternoon a pile of little books came which I read and thought very beautiful. Then the textbook arrived. It at first sight did not attract me, but I set to work to give it the trial I had promised. Then I thought I would put it to the severest test, so I stopped all medical treatment and dieting. I took off my glasses, thinking if it could heal one thing, it could heal all. They have never gone on again, and my sight has been better than it ever was before; neither have I had headaches.
