Christian Science came into my life when I was a very small child, and I have received many blessings as a result of its application.
In 1908 a pioneer of Christian Science came to a small town and started a Christian Science Society. Her testimony can be found in the chapter entitled "Fruitage" in the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy (p. 686). I lived in this town with my parents and was the oldest of eight children. One of my sisters was suffering from infantile paralysis. Many doctors were consulted, but none could help her. One Wednesday evening my father attended a Christian Science testimony meeting and was led to obtain help from a practitioner for her. My sister received her healing, married, and cared for and supported six children. She also enjoyed all kinds of active outdoor sports. My grandfather also turned to Christian Science and was healed of rheumatism and other discomforts falsely attributed to old age.
I have never taken material medicine during my life or used the services of a doctor, except when our two children were born, and that was done in order to be obedient to the state law. I have relied entirely upon the medicine of Mind. During my school years I was healed of mumps, influenza, colds, goiter, and burns. When I graduated from high school I received the highest honor award of the class. I knew this award was given me because I had depended on God as the only Mind, whose primal and eternal quality is intelligence. The choice whether to seek popularity or to stand firm in my understanding of God's purpose was a test I had to meet when I was in college. During my teaching experience I early learned that God is the only teacher and that I must constantly watch for the unfoldment of His ideas.
