Christian Science was brought into our home by a dearly loved aunt, at a time when spiritual guidance was very much needed. It was she who gave me my first copy of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, and the Church Manual, which our beloved Leader gave for our guidance and for the protection of the Cause.
At the age of fourteen I began earnestly studying the truths contained in these books, and enjoyed the privilege of attending a Christian Science Sunday School. At this time the overcoming of fear of so-called contagious diseases proved to be a never-ending source of gratitude. I learned that contagion, in the light of this Science, is confined to such qualities as joy, health, and happiness. Many happy experiences resulted from this unfoldment. One which occurred some years later, after my marriage, I should like to relate.
Our three-year-old son manifested all the symptoms of influenza. There was an epidemic at the time, and as I endeavored to help him the word "contagion" came to my thought. I realized at once that if I could express to the fullest the joy, health, and gratitude which Christian Science had brought into my life through its teaching that good alone is real, the child could be instantly healed. I turned to "Miscellaneous Writings" by Mrs. Eddy, and read on page 228, "Whatever man sees, feels, or in any way takes cognizance of, must be caught through mind; inasmuch as perception, sensation, and consciousness belong to mind and not to matter." And in Science and Health Mrs. Eddy says (p. 417): "To the Christian Science healer, sickness is a dream from which the patient needs to be awakened. Disease should not appear real to the physician, since it is demonstrable that the way to cure the patient is to make disease unreal to him." I immediately rejected the picture of suffering, and rose above all human sense of sympathy to a compassion so spiritual that I was cognizant of God's presence only and the perfection of His creation. In about half an hour the child fell into a sound, normal sleep. When he awoke, several hours later, there was not a trace of the ailment; he was in full possession of his strength and was radiantly happy.
