I feel as though I must not let another season pass without expressing in writing my gratitude to God, to our revered Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, and to the Cause of Christian Science.
In the winter of 1914 I purchased my first copy of the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy. Up to that time I had received treatment from many physicians. I tried their medicines with all expectancy of good effects, but there were none. From my childhood, medicine and doctors in our home were as natural and as necessary, we thought, as our daily food. Although our family lived up to our religion with ardent devotion, healing by means of it was unknown. We attended a Methodist missionary school for our preliminary education, and evening prayer was held each night by a Christian mother. Now I can see how all along the way the soil of thought was being made fertile for Truth, for when I did accept Truth, as revealed in Christian Science, I was surely ready for it. Today, in the words of the Bible I can say, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us."
I called for help from a Christian Science practitioner, and I shall never forget my wonderment when she left. Well, I thought, she has not asked me one thing concerning my illness, and I have so much about which to tell her. But she told me much of God and His love. Although it seemed as if I exchanged one illness for another for some time after this first visit, I have never had a return of that particular ailment in over twenty years.
