Christian Science was first brought to my attention some years ago at the time of a serious illness of a member of my family. I had been a member of an orthodox denomination and had been interested in things spiritual from an early age. This interest gradually waned as I acquired more worldly education, until I finally became convinced that religion as practiced by mankind was wholly an emotional experience, and that if one just let go of his critical faculties he could become a convert or believer in almost anything presented as religion. This was my state of mind when I first became acquainted with Christian Science, and although from the first contacts I began to see what it did for others, I had no desire to investigate it for myself. I did, however, go to lectures once in a while and occasionally to church. These experiences convinced me that Christian Science was different from my own church because of the great peace I experienced at its services and lectures. I began going to church more frequently, but at that time could not understand anything about the services.
In 1933 I became very ill with a sinus infection, and an operation was recommended and arranged for. A friend, who was a Christian Scientist, recommended that I at least go to see a practitioner before submitting to an operation, the results of which were highly uncertain. The resistance and hostility to Truth in my thought were so aggressive that I felt very resentful that this friend should even suggest such a step, but he was so loving and reasonable that I realized he only wanted to help me, and so I consented to see a practitioner. At that moment an amazing thing occurred. I felt as if an enormous load had been lifted from me, and I left this friend's office feeling happy and relieved as I sought a practitioner. I did not find the one I was looking for, so I finally went home, and that night I rested painlessly and slept soundly for the first time in more than six months. The next day I canceled the operation, realizing that it was no longer necessary. This healing, which was instantaneous and permanent, awakened me to the realization that God is ever present, and that the truths taught about Him in Christian Science are as available and provable as they were in the time of Christ Jesus.
My family as well as I have experienced uncounted proofs of the power of divine Love to happify human existence and to protect, supply, and sustain us abundantly. Space will not permit a full account of these blessings, but among the healings have been finding a home, securing employment, a correction of eye trouble for which glasses were thought to be permanently necessary, healings of acute appendicitis, sunstroke suffered by our small daughter, sprains, cuts, broken bones, infections, and a severe case of inflammatory rheumatism.
