The blessings of a student of Christian Science are many, but generally the first healing stands out more than all the rest, not so much because of one's being healed physically as for being led from darkness to light. I sincerely hope that the testimony of my first healing will help some seeker after health and happiness, as other testimonies have helped me when I was in need of a better understanding of God.
In the winter of 1903-1904 I was taken with a severe cold, which affected my lungs and bronchial glands. The trouble did not lessen, although I tried all the prescribed remedies in drugstores. In a couple of months I decided to consult a specialist, who, after a thorough examination, informed me that I had a hole in my left lung as the result of bronchial trouble. I then tried electrical treatments, allopathy, and homeopathy without any good results. After consulting probably eight or nine physicians, I decided I would take our family doctor's advice, resign my position, and go to the Rocky Mountains and stay in a high altitude.
Since I had relatives in Idaho, I decided to go there in hope of regaining my health. On the way to Chicago I met an old friend, who advised me to try Christian Science, saying that I could find health where I was as well as in the high altitude; but having a false concept of what Christian Science teaches, I declined the invitation, telling my friend that my case was too serious to try something such as he was recommending. Upon my arrival in Idaho, a cousin who had recently been healed of a so-called incurable disease through the application of Christian Science asked me why I did not try this Science. Again I refused to accept.
