Article September 11, 1902 Issue

A Change of Opinion

A. P. COCHRAN.

I was reared a Methodist, but had early ceased to have any interest in religious matters, if by that is meant church affiliation or sympathy. I insisted upon harmony among preachers, precepts, and practice, and because I did not find it, I had lapsed into a state of indifference. I had not listened to a Sunday sermon for more than twenty years. I was a physical wreck, a victim of the tobacco habit for nearly forty years, and much emaciated by an hereditary disease, the progress and termination of which I thought I could calculate as closely as the return of the sun.

I had a friend who, through the healing of a sister, had became greatly interested in Christian Science, and I was very fond of ridiculing him for his foolishness. One day he said to me, "Read the book, and you will know more and talk less." I finally promised to do so. I borrowed a copy of Science and Health and read it as I would read a book of the day. Having finished it I was more than ever astonished that sensible people found anything in it, and told my friend so.

Some time after this, I met the Scientist who was in charge of the work in our city, and during conversation she said she understood I had read Science and Health and asked my opinion. I very candidly told her that its perusal only confirmed me in my previous estimate. Her reply was very pleasant and at the same time pointed, "I am told that you are a good reader. It is scarcely complimentary to you that you have found nothing where so many intelligent people find all. You have read the words, now read the book." I confess that I was piqued at this remark, but said nevertheless that I would do as she suggested.

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