I found Christian Science in a state penitentiary twenty-six years ago while serving a life sentence for second-degree murder. I had completed five years of the sentence when a lung condition developed which caused hemorrhages. This weakened me to the extent that stimulants were required before I could do my work, and I could eat only two or three meals during the week.
As a result, I was given lighter work as porter in the auditorium. At that time, the Christian Science services were held there, and my interest in Christian Science began then. I attended the services and read the literature regularly.
In talks with the Christian Science field worker, I learned how to study the Lesson-Sermons from the Christian Science Quarterly. And I found too that I could ask for prayerful metaphysical treatment; this I later did. Treatments were given by the field worker and his successor, both of whom were Christian Science practitioners, and in about a year the lung condition cleared up completely. In another year's time, the smoking habit had left me, and later, profanity. For the physical and moral freedom I gained, which has remained with me, I am sincerely grateful to Christian Science and to the field workers who helped me.
