About fourteen years ago my wife and I were stationed on an extremely small island in the Pacific Ocean, where conditions seemed quite inharmonious. We found that we were unable to improve matters by moving to another town and post of duty on the island. I had not learned then that one cannot escape from his erroneous thoughts except by correcting them through Truth.
We were impressed at this time by the peace, harmony, and poise manifested by a certain couple on the island, who lived peaceably with all, and were generally respected. The officer was held in esteem by the commanding officer, both because of his character and his efficient work. We soon elicited the fact that this couple were Christian Scientists—a religion against which I had long held a senseless prejudice. However, we decided then that there must be something in Christian Science, particularly if it accounted for the difference between our mental state and that of this other family. Therefore, we purchased a copy of the textbook, the study of which has opened to us the wonderful visions of true existence that are daily becoming clearer. Complete harmony was not immediately realized in our affairs, as much purifying had to take place in my consciousness. But there was instant promise of better things, and a glimpse from the start of the fact that material existence is untrue, and hence comparatively unimportant.
I had worn eyeglasses for approximately eleven years, owing to astigmatism, but they were removed when I started reading the textbook and have never been replaced. After the first glorious awakening, there was a long period in which I neither studied much nor attended church services. The effects of this surrender to mortal mind were manifested in a large crop of errors. During this period, however, I was freed from the habit of social drinking, which had been indulged for nearly fifteen years.
