Christian Science was presented to me eighteen years ago when a member of my family was in desperate need of healing. Although I had never been sick a day in my life and never had used a drop of medicine, I was most grateful for the revelation of the truth of the Bible and the great spiritual uplifting that followed. I utilized the teachings of Christian Science to the best of my understanding in every act and deed, and consequently met with amazing success in my profession of music, by realizing through Mrs. Eddy's teaching that "harmony in man is as beautiful as in music, and discord is unnatural, unreal" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 304). I have experienced instantaneous healings of accidental burns from carbolic acid and canned heat. There have been innumerable proofs of God's care and protection in accidents; but the healing I am most grateful for took place some four or five years ago and brought about a complete change in my life.
At that time I owned and operated a school of pipe organ, specializing in theater organ training. I had broadcasting connections with one of the local stations, and in this work I found it necessary to use ear phones almost continually owing to the vast difference in the quality of organ tones on the air. There were many arguments by my coworkers against the use of these ear phones, evil suggestions of nervous shock, deafness, and so on; but I felt that I had enough understanding of Christian Science to combat evil of every description. Before each program I would do my protective mental work and thank God for wisdom and intelligence. I had no fear, only love and gratitude, and consequently suffered no ill effects.
Then the serpent entered in the thought of too much business, too much prosperity, publicity, fame, and other forms of personal magnetism that seemed to make me forget God, whence had come my success. Before long I was neglecting my Christian Science work and my church activities and bowing down to the false gods of money and fame. And then all the former suggestions crept in, and soon I was in so much pain I was nearly insane; the nerves in my face, teeth, and ears were injured, one side of my face was paralyzed, and finally deafness came. I had treatments from a Christian Science practitioner but became worse all the time; then I stopped the treatments and went to an ear specialist, who told me I had shocked the nerves in my ears and would never regain my hearing. From there I went to a dentist, only to be told that every tooth would have to be extracted.
