When I was a young woman, my mother...

When I was a young woman, my mother laid down some undesirable health laws for me, saying that I was following in her footsteps and would, no doubt, have the same troubles she had experienced. I rebelled against these unjust decrees, but I did not know how to protect myself from such thoughts.

There was among our relatives a woman who was a Christian Scientist. She talked about her religion to us, and I was much impressed with her way of life; so I began to read the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. Through the study of that book, I was healed of constipation. This was one of the conditions which had concerned my mother.

For a number of years after my introduction to Christian Science, I wandered in the wilderness but never got entirely away from this practical religion. I read the textbook spasmodically and usually subscribed for some of the literature, but gained little headway in spiritual understanding.

Science had been growing in our area, and a Christian Science Society had been formed, but I was not ready to unite with it. I lived on a farm, and the roads were not paved; but I decided to try to attend church services for a year to see if I could be faithful in attendance. At the end of that time I joined the local society, and a year later I joined The Mother Church.

I can truly say that it was then that I began to grow in understanding. Accepting every opportunity offered me to serve in the church activities, I filled over a period of years the positions of Reader, Sunday School teacher, board member, librarian, and other offices. I am most grateful for these experiences.

I have had many healings. Headaches have vanished. I was healed of warts on my hands by using the statement from Science and Health (p. 269), "Metaphysics resolves things into thoughts, and exchanges the objects of sense for the ideas of Soul." Healings of fear and traits of disposition have been experienced, and I feel that I have been wonderfully protected during the years since I became interested in Christian Science.

We have many things for which to be grateful in our great movement—the exemplary life of our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, her writings, our practitioners, church services, lectures, and class instruction. Since I am at present situated too far from a church to attend services, I am especially grateful for our periodicals, including our daily paper, The Christian Science Monitor, and for the Christian Science radio and television programs. I rejoice that our faithful Leader has pointed the way for us and that in Christian Science we can find the answer to all our problems.—(Mrs.) Caroline F. Bates Dillie, Downs, Kansas.