I had known of Christian Science a number of years before I began an earnest study to learn its applicability to my problems. Having been materially successful in my work and usually in good health, I felt no need of what I presumed Christian Science to be. There came a time, however, when I was left entirely destitute. After all human endeavor had failed, with my income stopped, and without the ability to meet the daily needs of a dependent household, I was at last able rightly to hear the loving urge of my wife, who had then been a student of Christian Science for about five years, to take up this study in my own behalf, to consult a practitioner, and to make an effort along purely spiritual lines.
Reluctantly the first move in the one right direction was made, but obedience to the demands made upon me soon brought out a sense of willingness, and under the. loving guidance of the practitioner and through earnest, conscientious effort in studying the Bible Lessons from the Christian Science Quarterly, together with all of Mrs. Eddy's writings, I found myself making a small beginning. There was much so-called dead timber to be removed, and a great deal of stubborn resistance to overcome, but gradually, after I became willing to accept employment with a seemingly inadequate recompense, the thoughts of pride, prejudice, arrogance, self importance, in fact, most of the old false ideas usually associated with employment and business, began to fade out of consciousness.
The work of regeneration has now been going on for over ten years, during which time a constant unfoldment in the line of light has been experienced with its attendant manifestation in substantial business engagement, the payment of old debts, the acquisition of a home, and a successful working out of many other conditions and circumstances. The healing of many forms of physical disorder and of false appetite has also been beautifully accomplished, among them being quinsy sore throat and influenza, both of which were regular yearly occurrences prior to my gaining some measure of understanding of this Science. With the help of a practitioner, a case of blood poisoning in the left hand and arm was healed rapidly, as was a severe wound in the palm of the right hand, which left the thumb and forefinger useless for several days. This was worked out without the aid of a surgeon, and the hand has long since been fully restored to complete usefulness.
