My investigation of Christian Science began about eighteen years ago at a time when in my youthful zest for knowledge and experience I was inquiring into every phase of what I then would have termed "life." I was attracted to it by witnessing a remarkable healing in a neighbor's family and the loving application of this teaching in their daily lives. I borrowed the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, and read it through. My heart at once accepted its teaching as the spiritual truth, as the logical explanation of the teachings of the Bible and of Christ Jesus; and from that time on I always turned to Christian Science when in need of physical healing.
Some beautiful healings quickly followed this acceptance of Truth, some through my own efforts and some through the work of practitioners. Chief among these was the healing of chronic tonsillitis, and of recurrent headaches and eyestrain which interfered with my work as a teacher and caused much suffering. These healings were permanent. But in spite of these benefits, there followed many lean years because my thought still loved to wander in the byways of worldly pleasure and worldly intellect, until at last the mental suffering and remorse, brought on by much selfishness and by the folly of trying to serve two masters, led me to reverse my effort to find satisfaction in sensuous knowledge and pleasure, and to seek and strive for spiritual growth.
Our wise Leader tells us that "every hour of delay makes the struggle more severe" (Science and Health, p. 407), and I know that the years of following other gods have added to the upward struggle which has seemed hard at times, but always worth while. My real growth began when I decided to join The Mother Church and one of its branches about nine years ago, and I cannot say too much in praise of the privilege of serving the Cause through its organization. I found that physical healing was much easier, though not to be compared in importance to the healing of faults of character, false opinions, moral cowardice, egotism, and all the etceteras of sensuality, and it is for victories over these things, still being won, that I am most grateful.
In the rearing of my two children, Christian Science has been of inestimable help, and I am grateful that the truth is so simple that a child can understand and apply it. So-called children's diseases have been encountered, but have been overcome without difficulty. It is a great joy to a mother to know that what she is teaching her children is the proven truth and will endure forever.
I am grateful for all the help and the privileges of service afforded by our Mother Church organization, including the branch churches with their church offices and Sunday school work; for class instruction; for Christian fellowship; for our faithful practitioners; and for the shining example of our beloved Leader, whose discovery and establishment of Christian Science have made all these things possible. My prayer is for more understanding of God and His Christ, more appreciation and emulation of Christ Jesus, the Way-shower, and more love for my fellow man.— Juneau, Alaska
