On page 197 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, these words are written: "A minutely described disease costs many a man his earthly days of comfort. What a price for human knowledge!"
Before I became interested in Christian Science, a number of my fellow workers had undergone medical treatment for appendicitis. After listening to one who had undergone such an operation, I began to watch for symptoms in myself. Eventually I too had an appendectomy. But despite the operation I still experienced pain.
Still retaining in thought the symptoms and looking upon the effects manifested in the body as realities, I grew worse. After two years of various treatments, I was in an extremely nervous state. I was unable to partake of food and experienced a subsequent loss of weight. The condition was diagnosed as thyroid trouble, for which I was later under the care of specialists.
In despair my thoughts turned to God. One night I entered a Christian Science church where a Wednesday evening testimony meeting was being held. My thoughts were centered upon myself, and I took but little notice of what was going on. I probably should not have returned, but an alert usher, noticing I was a stranger, engaged me in conversation. He gave me some literature and told me I could borrow Science and Health from the Reading Room, and that it would give me a fuller explanation of how people are healed by spiritual understanding.
I read avidly the testimonies in the Journal and the Christian Science Sentinel. I then went to the Reading Room, where I borrowed a copy of Science and Health. I told the librarian something of my trouble. She told me to read the textbook with an open mind, saying that if I applied myself to it as faithfully as I had to other means of healing, I would soon be free. The chapter on Prayer was a revelation to me.
As I continued reading, errors were uncovered. I saw that I had only been exchanging one belief for another, and that fear had brought on discordant effects which I had looked upon as real. I soon learned that God, Mind, is the only causation. As my understanding of God's nature unfolded, I suddenly found freedom from all the various symptoms. I knew then that I had found the truth that makes free. In a little over a week's time I was released from bondage of over two years' duration.
My joy was great. As I try to be worthy of the blessings which come to me through Christian Science, those blessings so multiply that words cannot express the gratitude I owe to God, to Christ Jesus, and to our revered Leader, Mrs. Eddy, for revealing the truth to us.— Chicago, Illinois.
