In Psalms we read, "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings." This proved true in my case, for when Christian Science was first presented to me I was indeed in a horrible pit of material thinking and living. Finances were so depleted that I saw almost my last penny go. A so-called incurable disease seemed fast taking possession of my body, and unhappiness so filled my consciousness that I wished for courage to end it all.
At that time we were in possession of a copy of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy which had been given to my son by a friend, and I remember that I kept it on the table by my bedside because it looked intellectual and had a beautiful binding. I had always loved beautiful books, and Science and Health in its lovely binding particularly appealed to me. Upon retiring I would read a few lines each night, and as my troubles seemed to deepen I would cling more to my reading, but with not the slightest idea or understanding of what I read. Finally I began to pray in the old way for understanding, since other people seemed to get help and the Bible says, "God is no respecter of persons." One day, when troubles seemed just a little harder than usual to bear, I must have asked with more childlike faith to be shown the way. For suddenly the thought came to me that if I possessed a mechanical wooden toy which if wound would walk across the floor, it of course could not move without manipulation on my part. Then it came to me that I was like that toy, and my flesh no less material than that little piece of wood; that God is my Life and the source of all movement. I shall never forget the joy which filled my consciousness at that moment and the wonderful sense of gratitude for the reward of months of reading and study in trying to know God. I am grateful to say that the so-called incurable disease, with all its accompanying pain and fear, was soon overcome.
I am surely experiencing the peace "which passeth all understanding." I have also been healed of wearing glasses; and many other inharmonious conditions have been overcome. I truly feel like shouting this wonderful religion from the housetops and telling all new students on their journey Spiritward that, no matter how obscure the truth seems to be at first, they should just heed Mrs. Eddy's admonition to press on; for she says in Science and Health (p. 573), "Take heart, dear sufferer, for this reality of being will surely appear sometime and in some way."
