THE earnest desire that my experience in Christian Science may be helpful to some one else in the journey from sense to Soul, prompts me to try to tell how much I have to be thankful for. While still in high school, an agnostic shook the foundations of my religious faith so completely that for many years doubts and questionings were always with me. Although I continued my church relations, I was constantly seeking in vain for something deep and spiritual, but most of the sermons I heard were a disappointment. At college the course in psychology plunged me into more unanswered questions. The professor discussed at length the control of mind over matter, or matter over mind, saying there seemed to be evidence on both sides, and finally dismissed the subject with the remark that matter and mind are so essentially different in their nature, that it is as impossible to conceive of one of the two influencing the other as to boil water with the theory of evolution. Throughout my college course, other questions as to man's origin and destiny were raised only to be left unanswered.
In the spring of 1907 a copy of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy was loaned to my mother, and while the book was in the house I picked it up, expecting to be able to continue criticizing what I had supposed Christian Science to be. The first reading was a wonderful uplift! I had not supposed anything like it had ever been written. The book held me; I continued my reading in almost breathless expectancy, at first fearful lest it should not stand the test of really being that for which I had been searching. It often contradicted my previous religious doctrinal instruction, but never once did it contradict or misinterpret the Bible! My questions were all answered, every doubt vanished. I read that "harmony in man is as real and immortal as in music. Discord is unreal and mortal" (Science and Health, p. 27), and the spiritual interpretation of the 23rd Psalm as given on page 578 appealed to me most of all. The reading of this book healed a catarrhal condition, also my eyes. The passage between my nose and throat was as" clear as though it had been operated upon. For almost a year my glasses had never been off except during sleep, and an oculist had told me that I would always have to wear them for far-sightedness; now they were simply laid aside without effort. There was no longer even the shadow of a doubt. I knew that Jesus was the Christ, and that he did perform every healing work that the Bible tells us he did. I knew this because I experienced in my own life the power of God to heal. Unspeakable love and gratitude fill my heart for her who has broken this dream of life in matter and revealed man's true nature.
During the past three years Christian Science has enabled me to solve every problem in daily life,—colds, the supposed effect of poison oak, and a boil in my ear have all been overcome by this healing truth. A very severe attack of croup was overcome for my baby boy by three treatments. I had one treatment in Christian Science before baby was born, and the birth was so natural and easy that to me it was a wonderful demonstration of God's ever-presence. I was too young in Science to remain on the mountain-top, because of pride, selfishness, and self-seeking, and I must slowly but surely work my way through the valley up to the glorious heights of Christian Science. I here refer to a most serious trouble with the breast, which, even with a practitioner's help most of the time, yielded only after two months' work.
Before I knew anything of Christian Science my regular dentist had refused to attempt to extract a wisdom tooth which was growing irregularly. He said the only means of extracting it was by the use of an anesthetic, so that the bone could be cut open and the tooth lifted out. He said it was work for a specialist and that be would not attempt to do it. A dentist holding an official position at the colleges offered to extract the tooth by giving the anesthetic; but the work was delayed, and after experiencing the marvelous power of Christian Science, I at once decided to try that on the tooth first. In this connection the following passage from Science and Health impressed me, and was a great inspiration: "Judge not the future advancement of Christian Science by the steps already taken, lest you yourself be condemned for failing to take the first step" (p. 459). My teeth certainly offered a field for work. The dentist had been treating a sensitive condition at the roots of my teeth, saying he could relieve the condition but could not heal it. With a practitioner's help I took up this problem, and the results have been more than I could ask or think. For about a year the Scientist treated me once or twice a month. Last winter it was found that the tooth which had troubled me was now growing forward in such a way that the operation would be less difficult. Two dentists did the extracting, and it is with great joy that I tell of their respect for Christian Science. They wanted me to take some drug to counteract the effects of the cocaine, and when I asked them to do the work without the use of cocaine they consented. In three quarters of an hour it was all over, and I felt as fresh as though nothing had happened. The 10th verse of the 41st chapter of Isaiah and the "scientific statement of being" (Science and Health, p. 46) were my assistance that afternoon. I forgot all about the former sensitiveness at the roots, and that vanished at the same time.
Often in making a demonstration it has been such a help to me to see the condition to be overcome as nothing compared with the demonstrations which others have made in Science. Until we can see all disease as nothing this thought is very helpful, but with greater understanding it will not be needed. These demonstrations have led me to spiritual heights, where as I look back I rejoice. Thorns "in the flesh" when rightly met lead one to cling to Science as he might not otherwise have done. There is more and more work to do, but I am trying patiently to realize that perfection is reached only by constant effort. My gratitude for Christian Science is unspeakable, and I rejoice more because of the peace and happiness it has brought me spiritually, than for any and all the physical healing, although for that, too, I am grateful. Christian Science is indeed the promised Comforter that leads into all truth.
Corte Madera, Cal.
[A certificate from the dentists who performed the operation to which Mrs. Mazza refers in the above testimony, states that no anesthetic, either local or general, was used. The names of the dentists will be furnished to any one who wishes to make personal inquiry.—Editor.]
