Since I first read a Christian Science periodical, I have felt the hallowing influence of Science every day. I loved the Bible and had studied the New Testament and much of the Old Testament. I had read various church publications, and each time I read a new one I would ask myself, "Now, is this what Jesus came to teach?" But I was not satisfied until the day I was given a Christian Science Sentinel. I had not heard of Science; but before I had finished the first page I knew I had found the pearl of great price for which I was willing to relinquish all other pearls. I knew I had at last found the truth which Christ Jesus, our Way-shower, had so lovingly demonstrated.
I well remember the first time I applied our religion. I was pressing a heavy shirt with a hot iron. My copy of Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy was on the ironing board. It was opened to page 463, where I read, "A spiritual idea has not a single element of error, and this truth removes properly whatever is offensive." For the first time I considered man as a spiritual idea. I reasoned: "Why, of course! God is Spirit. All that He creates must be spiritual. Therefore man is really the spiritual idea of God."
I did not see my young daughter reach up to the ironing board, and I set the iron firmly on her hand. When she cried out, I saw what I had done and lifted the iron at once. I looked down into her face, which was evidencing great pain, and said: "That's all right, honey. You can't burn a spiritual idea." Her face relaxed immediately, and she ran off to play. Later I went to her and examined both hands, but there was no mark to indicate which hand had been burned.
