I did not come to Christian Science for physical healing. I came to find God. I had been brought up in the strictest orthodox fashion; taught a God of wrath,—a God who knew sin and evil and health. I asked my father a great many questions about God, and said many things for which he expressed disapproval. When I married and left home, the restrictions regarding my reading were removed. I read what is called "free thought" literature,—works of Ingersoll, Payne, etc. Their logic seemed to me to demolish the structure of theology, but I suffered from this disillusionment. What they said seemed so terribly true. There came, however, a reaction from this, and I returned to the church. I was punctual in attendance on the church services, and I prayed for some recognition of the hunger that was in me to know God, but found no answer. Getting a reputation for piety which I did not deserve, and feeling that I was only a seeker for truth, I again turned away. From that time on I drifted,—believing only in a First Great Cause.

About fourteen years ago I moved into the neighbor hood of a Christian Science practitioner. I soon found she was different from any one I had ever known, and I loved to watch her. I remember once seeing a carriage driven to her door. A lady and gentleman got out, and the driver took the man on his back and carried him into the house. They remained there about three quarters of an hour; then they all walked out, and the lady and gentleman entered the carriage and were driven off. I felt as Moses must have felt when he saw the burning bush,—that I should take the shoes from off my feet, for this was "holy ground." Shortly afterward I called upon a neighbor. She was not a Scientist, but said that she knew the "scientific statement of being" (Science and Health, p. 468), and she repeated it. I asked her to write it down for me. She did so, and I took it home and tried to learn it. I studied it carefully for weeks, and accepted it as the truth. I loved it for its positiveness, for its absoluteness, and desired to know more. I went to the Christian Science practitioner and asked her if that was all of Christian Science. She told me of the text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, and loaned me a copy.

I had been studying this book a couple of months when I was taken with an acute illness. I sent for the practitioner, and she gave me the first Christian Science treatment I had ever received. It was a wonderful experience; I felt sure she was not praying to God in the old orthodox way. A new and wonderful light dawned in my consciousness; a transformation,—a reflection of the thought that God is Love filled my being. After she left I lay for some time thinking about Christian Science treatment, what it meant. Presently I arose and dressed myself and went about my work—I was healed. This experience seemed to be the open door through which I entered the realm of Christian Science. The following year was one of the happiest of my life. I had found God—a God who is Love, a God who knows not evil, who is pure and perfect,—divine Principle. I could not speak of Christian Science without tears. This year was indeed my mount of transfiguration, and I entered enthusiastically upon my work as a Christian Science practitioner. I thought that life to me would henceforth be a pathway of flowers, but I had yet to learn the way; I had yet to learn that error follows closely upon the heels of Truth, and that all we know of truth is what we prove.

I wish to speak of what was to me a very great demonstration, as it may help some one else who is struggling with a sense of deep sorrow and loss. My oldest son, who had just graduated from college and had gone into the mountains to pursue his vocation as a mining engineer, was overtaken by a snowslide and swept from this plane of existence. Every parent knows what it must mean to a mother to lose her idolized and idealized son. My knowledge of the protecting power of divine Love was not then sufficient to avert this calamity. The greatest comfort that I had at this time was in Christian Science, for at a time like this earthly friends only weigh you down with their sympathy, but they cannot help you. A Christian Scientist can receive help only from God, and when I cast myself upon divine Love I was helped. I was free from the thought that this trial was from "divine providence," that it was for my good, etc. I realized more clearly than ever before that God is Spirit, and that Spirit is Life. I realized that one passing through the experience called death had simply changed his state of consciousness. Divine Love met my need, dried my tears. I reread Science and Health. I went to the foundation to get a better understanding of Principle,—more light.

One of the hardest things for me to meet was the thought of anniversaries, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The mortal belief of a broken home circle seemed very strong at that time, but I had an experience which helped me past this, and each anniversary since has brought similar experiences. On Christmas morning, the next year, I was called to see a patient. I went rather unwillingly, as my burden that day seemed heavy. When I arrived I found the patient suffering severely. I tried to realize the truth in order to help her and to get light for myself, and this thought came: "Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: . . . and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Of his kingdom "there shall be no end." This was a glimpse of Truth's immortal idea. I then went on with my treatment, filled with a wonderful sense of peace. When I was through, the patient had fallen asleep. I left her, and she told me the next day that when she awoke she stretched out her arm, and was surprised to find she could do so without pain. She moved her whole body; then she arose and sat upon the bed, and finally walked over to the dresser. The attendant entered the room, and on seeing her, ran for the husband. When he came, she simply smiled and said, "I am well," and commenced to dress herself. Then she asked that they might go to a Christmas dinner to which they had been invited. This demonstration so rebuked my material sense that I found the next anniversary easier. When we come to have a glimpse of the spiritual existence as opposed to the material, then we shall learn the lesson in Divine Science that "sorrow is not the master of joy" (Science and Health, p. 304). I have found that the loss of material joys brings a higher sense of spiritual development; that it regenerates, blesses, purifies. The knowledge of this teaching has kept me well. It has filled me each day with renewed impulse and energy to work for the Cause of Truth.

I am grateful for Christian Science; grateful that I live in the same age with Mrs. Eddy, its Discoverer and Founder. My prayer is that I may be patient and humble, that I may love more and more, be gentler and kinder. I am glad that I have found my work, and shall labor always for sure, effectual, and instantaneous healing of the sick in Christian Science.

Mrs. Agnes M. Bishop, Denver, Col.