My interest in Christian Science was first aroused when...

My interest in Christian Science was first aroused when a friend turned to it for healing. The interest, however, was prompted by the desire to dissuade that one from pursuing the study of Christian Science, and arguing that this Science was but another false doctrine, and not in accord with the Scriptures. But as my prejudices and preconceived opinions had been formed entirely from remarks made by people antagonistic to Christian Science, I determined at least to be fair and to investigate the matter for my own satisfaction. About that time an invitation to a Christian Science lecture was received. At this lecture, it was made clear to me for the first time that the real man is not made up of matter, blood, bones, et cetera, but that he is spiritual, the image and likeness of God, divine Principle, and that as God is spiritual, His image or reflection must likewise be spiritual. The understanding, also, that Jesus was the human concept and Christ the divine idea set at naught the old denominational belief that Jesus was God. A copy of the Sentinel which was given to me was read eagerly from cover to cover. The sections which made the deepest impression at the time were that devoted to testimonies, which seemed so sincere, and the one then called "Selected Articles." The arguments refuting false accusations were so clearly and logically set forth that it left no room for further questioning as far as I was concerned and only created the desire to know more of the healing power of this Science and how the healing was accomplished. "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy was procured, and, as in the case of so many others, it was found to be the truth,—the truth, indeed, whereof Pilate inquired of Jesus.

Not many months after this an occasion arose for me to take a definite stand for Principle. Thus far the result of my reading and study had been more or less theory without any manifested proofs of the efficacy of the healing power of divine Science. I had been suffering from biliousness, and for several days had taken no food, not even water. I was told that something must be done. Either I must have help from a Christian Science practitioner, or call in medical aid. Evidently this was the valley of decision: should Principle be strictly adhered to, or should material methods still prevail? Sufficient understanding had been gleaned from Science and Health to make me doubt the efficacy of material means, and then the thought that God is all-power and all-presence helped me to decide. A Christian Science practitioner was telephoned to and absent treatment was given. Within half an hour food was asked for and was given to me, and the next morning I was up and made a trip downtown.

Shortly after this a healing was accomplished through reading Science and Health and the periodicals. For years prior to this time I had been subject to an attack of tonsillitis every winter. The condition lasted from ten days to possibly two weeks. When the symptoms were again manifested I took the textbook, a copy of the Journal, and a copy of the Sentinel and read practically all day, refusing to acknowledge any effort for recognition that the material senses seemed to make. The next morning I awoke refreshed and free and have never had a recurrence of that disease. This was truly marvalous to me, for I had had a glimpse of the truth that proved that man-made laws need no longer be feared and submitted to, for the real man is at all times subject only to the divine Mind and thus free from human will and domination. Mrs. Eddy says in Science and Health (p. 217): "When you have once conquered a diseased condition of the body through Mind, that condition never recurs, and you have won a point in Science." To me it was as though one had been under the hallucination that two and two equals five. Then when that incorrect answer was rectified and the true answer known to be four, the return to the belief of two plus two equals five would be an utter impossibility, for with exact knowledge it has been proved to be four.