My attention was first brought to Christian Science by a friend fifteen years ago, at a time when I was an informed believer in the modes of psychiatry, medicine, and surgery, being then, and for a few years following, engaged as a private secretary during two successive hospital connections. After a few months of desultory reading in our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, my former concept of prayer was changed; while a lifelong condition of constipation, with related severe suffering, was completely healed. Since infancy medicine had been taken daily for this trouble, but without improvement. As a result of the experience I was permanently healed of any further dependence upon material medicines and modes of healing. Eczema, which became acute at times, was healed; likewise insomnia, and many minor conditions. A most persistent recurrence of chapped skin was slower to yield, but it finally disappeared. Three wisdom teeth were extracted without the administration of an anaesthetic, and without any sensation of pain.
Two attacks of influenza occurred in the winter of 1918-1919. The first healing, following a call for help, was instantaneous: at three o'clock in the morning intense pain, which had racked the entire body, vanished and I was free. Two or three months later a second attack occurred. Resentment at its appearance and much self-will blinded me to the serious need for aid. Help from a practitioner was finally obtained, but self—will had prevailed so long that the experience ensued of tarrying in "the valley of the shadow of death." A thorough, regenerating healing presently followed, however, and I am earnestly grateful for the work done at that time, as the experience awakened me to new views of gratitude to God and marked the beginning of greater progress as a Christian Scientist.
In the spring of 1927 I had traveled to a city in another state to give two addresses on the same day. I awakened in my hotel room early in the morning of the scheduled day too ill to think clearly, and unable to rise or speak aloud. Help was asked for. Suddenly, one hour later, I arose healed, and was able to fulfill all the day's demands. Comparison later disclosed that release had come at the precise time the telegraphed request was received by the practitioner. A short time afterwards blood poisoning, which appeared in the foot and had progressed to an acute stage, was healed overnight when I turned to God in prayer.
