During the First World War, while living in Seattle, I heard much arguing for and against Christian Science by various members of my husband's family. It aroused in me a curiosity to learn more about this Science which had created so much controversial conversation.
One day when our baby daughter manifested some discomfort from what we supposed was the cutting of her teeth, I decided to call at an address I knew was the residence of a Christian Science practitioner. This the baby and I did while on an afternoon stroll. We were greeted so pleasantly and made to feel so much at home that the friendliness encouraged me to ask the rather abrupt questions that that been in my mind. To each of my questions a simple and loving answer was given. I was told that as a blade of grass or a flower comes forth in the spring, quietly, serenely, with no discomfort, so do the teeth of our little ones. I went home filled with an inner warmth, a glow of security and peace, and the desire to know more of this happiness. The practitioner had promised to work for the baby.
Two days passed, but the baby seemed worse. Meantime my husband had invited guests for dinner the following evening. Although I had absolutely no fear, I was prompted to call the practitioner to ask if it was all right to have the guests, in view of the baby's condition. The practitioner came to see us that afternoon and after talking a few minutes recommended that we postpone the dinner, because the baby seemed to show symptoms of influenza and people were much afraid of it. This was in 1918, during the so-called epidemic. All through the conversation and in the three days following neither my husband nor I felt the slightest fear for the baby or for ourselves. In less than a week she was completely well, and the teeth continued to come through harmoniously. Influenza touched neither my husband nor me.
