I was first attracted to Christian Science by realizing how greatly its teachings had helped some friends in a time of bereavement.
These friends obtained for me a copy of the textbook, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, and I began to read it. In a short time I had need of healing for intense rheumatic pain in one finger. I was due to play at a concert in a week, and I could not use the finger. My friends arranged for me to see a practitioner, who, in spite of my argumentative reception of the truths he voiced, kindly promised to give me absent treatment during the week, although he would be traveling. The pain lessened at once, and in a few days I was able to put in some strenuous practice, and on the day of the concert to play with complete ease, and with an unwonted sense of joy and freedom. This was the turning point. I began at once to read the Lesson-Sermon in the Christian Science Quarterly, and to attend the services.
Looking back over the ten years which have elapsed since then, I realize with deepest gratitude that Christian Science has overthrown and reversed many erroneous beliefs which had had a depressing influence on my consciousness. In the past I had been educated to believe in heredity; in a condition of nervous dyspepsia; in the inevitability of failing powers with passing years; and I was expecting to be constantly disabled by sciatica, which had many times crippled me for weeks at a time. Shortly before my introduction to Christian Science, I had had a very severe illness, which took several forms, and culminated in facial paralysis. When at length I was better, the doctor warned me that my nerves were highly susceptible, and that a sudden shock, or exposure to extreme cold, would probably bring about a relapse.
