It is indeed a joy to express gratitude for Christian Science. I shall always feel deeply indebted to our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy.
When a boy I became a slave to the drink habit, and after many years of riotous living I found myself in much bondage to sin, sorrow, and a dread disease. Prior to this time I had given little thought to God and man's relationship to Him. In the darkest moment of my life I realized in a small degree that it was my ignorance of God and my disobedience to His laws that had placed me in bondage. With this realization there came a desire to know something about God. I did not ask to be healed, as I had no hope of being healed. My most cherished desire was to know and do the will of God. Surely this was true prayer. Within a few days the Christian Science textbook was placed in my hands by a man who had no knowledge of what it contained. Before reading this book I did not know that it had anything to do with religion. I had never before heard of Christian Science. When I opened the book and found it contained something pertaining to God, my consciousness became flooded with gratitude, for I realized that my prayer was being answered. After reading ten pages from this most precious book, I found myself healed of the disease.
Christian Science has also healed me of the drink and smoking habits, but I am most grateful of all for the healing of sin. Before taking up the study of Christian Science I entertained hatred towards others. Following my healing I soon realized that the most essential thing needed for my progress was to be more loving. Each day I would often question myself: How much are you loving? How forgiving are you toward others for the many things the Father-Mother God has forgiven you? Perhaps no privilege confers more genuine happiness and inspiration than to be willing to forgive those who persecute and despitefully use one. I recall an experience that helped me so much in the overcoming of hatred. I once was working under a man who wanted to incite fear in the thoughts of the men he had charge over. One day he deliberately kicked me. He then voiced these words: "You are afraid of me." Like a flash these thoughts came to me: Now prove your love for God by returning good for evil, and by loving one who has despitefully used you. I replied: "I fear no man. Why should I fear you, when I truly love you?" He was healed that very moment of any sense of hatred toward me, and we became good friends.
