Article November 14, 1903 Issue

A Grateful Heart

CHARLES J. WOODALL

The following testimony was given in connection with the introduction of Mr. Kimball, upon the occasion of his lecture in Flint, Mich., October I.—Eds.

I appreciate the privilege of introducing to you our speaker this evening, although, when I received the invitation yesterday, I was much disposed to decline, for I felt that I had neither wit, nor word, nor worth, nor power of speech to do the cause justice; but these reassuring words of our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, came to me: "When the heart speaks, however simple the words, its language is always acceptable to those who have hearts" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 262). I decided to let the grateful heart speak, for I owe my life to Christian Science; yes, life itself and all that is dear thereto,—health, hope, peace, joy, happiness, prosperity, liberty. I think the most appropriate thing I can do is to give my testimony as a proof of the beneficence of Christian Science.

It is just four years since I was introduced to Christian Science, but I find that only a little comparison of these years with those previous is necessary to show my cause for unbounded gratitude. Noonday and midnight are not more opposite than the contrast before me,—the contrast between the material thought of the past and the spiritual understanding of the present. Four years ago I had about concluded that man was created without a purpose and obliterated without regret. That there was a God who cared for man, I did not believe. To-night, I am gratified that I have satisfying proof, through demonstration upon demonstration of man's relationship to, and unity with, God. My physical condition was at as low an ebb as the spiritual; life had become a burden to me, a sorrow and disgrace to my family and friends; conscious of the blight upon my life; conscious of my incapability of self-help, I felt my weakness most keenly, so keenly that I have envied even the meanest beggar on the street who could keep sober, and as a consequence of years of intemperance I had contracted Bright's disease.

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