Progress is necessarily a comparative experience, and without frequent retrospective glances it is difficult to measure advancement along life's highway. Looking backward, for this reason, will not infrequently correct what appears to be impressions to the effect that the milestones are very far apart. The earnest traveler, however, with his goal ahead, must feel encouraged when now and again he looks behind him and observes far in the rear loads of care and trouble, the removal of which from his own shoulders proves that he is overcoming the world to the best of his increasing knowledge and understanding.

The writer of this testimony can bear earnest witness to the rejuvenating influence of Christian Science and its effect on the mental and physical phases of human environment. Only as a court of last appeal was Christian Science considered as of service to the healing which in my case was the all-absorbing question. It would be merely a repetition of thousands of preceding testimonies for me to state here that intense suffering, an agony of despair, hopeless resignation to a condition from which there appeared no promise of relief, constituted the multitudinous array of ills which from the standpoint of medical experience were to be borne with patience until release from material bondage, as the world understands it, should occur. How fortunate that in my case the thought finally took possession that no material remedies could bring me health and happiness. Before such a light dawns, it is true one may have to run the gamut of untold disappointments; all other avenues must be closed before the "straight and narrow way" is entered, but nothing else than fire refines the metal fit for use.

In the writing of this testimony it comes home with compelling force how reluctantly mankind acknowledge benefits bestowed. Over two years ago Christian Science was embraced, with the result that almost from the very start an improvement set in, both in the mental and physical condition; but the voice of expectancy, which is never to be confounded with the sublime quality which crowns hope, kept whispering month after month that the time had not arrived for making acknowledgment of the blessings which had come to me through the study of that most wonderful piece of literature, worth more than its weight in gold to every Scientist. Today, however, I can say with full confidence, and without fear of contradiction, that Science and Health contains within its pages that elixir of life and youth which history in its more fanciful moods speaks of as the goal of the peoples of the earth. To the man or woman who is earnestly seeking relief from physical disabilities, the reading of this volume brings an unfoldment like that which only the Book of books has within itself to supply to humanity. It is the spiritual interpretation which Mrs. Eddy brings to the Scriptures that makes of Science and Health the bread and wine,—a real substance, giving sustenance to body and soul alike.

By a curious circumstance I was brought into Christian Science through an avenue which usually regards materia medica as the only means for the restoration of health. All else having proved unavailing, the suggestion was made by one who was then following the profession of nursing, that Christian Science might afford relief. Having known for years about Christian Science, through my occupation as a writer for the press and magazines, I knew that, whether it should prove to be of benefit to me or not, those who professed adherence to its teachings had found here something with which no earthly riches could make them part. I was yet to find out for myself what constituted this precious possession. It was also to be learned, through many trials and temptations, that nothing worth while can be obtained except by working for it. I was living in Philadelphia at the time I was brought into contact with a Christian Scientist, and that first meeting stands out sharply against a background then beclouded and indistinct. Preceding my visit to the practitioner had been a stop at the drug-store, for the filling of another of the innumerable prescriptions which had borne my name during years of suffering. When informed by the practitioner that all medicines should be discontinued, in order that the healing truth might find no obstruction, it rather grated on me that such radical methods were to be initiated; but the move was made, and from that time, no matter if now and again error tried to whisper of other agencies as available, the road lay clear and glistening ahead, and in proportion to my fidelity to divine Principle have I been able to show results. Confidence was restored, and the promise that nothing can alienate our affections if such is our real desire, rose wonderfully from out the mist and sorrow.

Thus a new era began in the experience of one individual, who gives to Christian Science all the honor and glory which is its due in the case of this healing incident. With the advancement of the study and the mingling with Scientists, all of whom most lovingly aided in establishing the desired balance, it was revealed more and more why Christian Science has gained so many adherents, and why nothing can swerve them from following where its Discoverer and Founder leads. Patience and obedience, however, are prime essentials for the complete understanding which is the desire of all who become students in this school of divine education. The road may not always be smooth and level; lessons have to be taken to heart which run counter to all preconceived notions and traditional teaching; snarls of one's own making must be untwisted before consciousness is sufficiently receptive for the admission of the new and uplifting; all that is useless and retrogressive must be discarded before the soil is fit for the sowing of the spiritual idea. As a writer, with ambitions sufficiently gratified to aspire to continuous success in my chosen line, the chief grievance that came to me when sickness laid me low was the belief that henceforth my usefulness was at an end. The specialty to which I devoted my efforts had been, before my illness, a constant source of pleasure. Having traveled considerably, here was a field that I found profitable, but when the old resourcefulness no longer appeared, a condition of utter hopelessness took its place. For years my health had been indifferent, and the work which was taken up now and then, would be followed by periods of inactivity. Several severe attacks of illness occurred during the ten years before I entered Christian Science, so it was only occasionally that an article, which with extreme difficulty I had been able to make ready, would appear.

While I have stated that from the beginning an improvement set in, yet it is necessary to add that except for this retrospective examination it would appear as if my progress had been slow. Last spring, however, when removing to Madison, N. J., the opportunity came to hand for both much study and application. The Christian Science society of Madison had been formed but a short time before our advent in that beautiful locality, and the intimate association which sprang from that summer visit will linger as a memory of the most beautiful demonstration of what Scientists represent. The large churches of the cities are inspiring, when on Sundays and Wednesday evenings Christian Scientists gather for worship and genial companionship. The ties of love and labor that bind the members of the congregations, and invite all outsiders to partake, are wonderful instruments for healing and education, but enough cannot be said for the small circle of the village and the town. Perhaps but half a dozen meet in some room for the reading of the Lesson-Sermon, or maybe half a hundred are able to gather together for the study of the Bible as spiritually interpreted in Christian Science. Growing up in such an atmosphere, the young Scientist can realize something of what must have been the experience of Mrs. Eddy, who faced the foe single-handed, while slowly the faithful rallied to her support. I feel that the small community offers perhaps the greatest and the noblest opportunities for Christian Science work, as each new comer gains direct admittance to the best that the Scientists have in their possession, and growth in such surroundings is accumulative.

This testimony would be incomplete without stating that the work of regeneration has resulted in a return to the old field. Spiritually guided, the profession of writing now yields a larger recompense than when materialism held dominant sway. In the midst of what the world may term excitement and strivings for supremacy, I no longer see the greed for gold or mad ambition in the eyes of men, but look beneath the surface for that spark which all humankind has in common. We have but to search deep enough, with real affection as the probe, and beyond the shadow of a doubt loving response rises to the surface, because nothing can resist the influence of love. I have had wonderful demonstrations touching the efficacy of kindness as a means to gain some point essential to my work. The financial district of New York is replete with opportunities for Christian Scientists to sow the seed of good will. Here, as everywhere, "Life, Truth, Love" is the open sesame, and none can resist the triune idea, because it is all-embracing and supersedes everything.

I join the thousands of Christian Scientists in expressing gratitude for what Mrs. Eddy has brought to the world; but as health is regained, as hope and future happiness loom large and clear, there must come to every Scientist the command to go forth and show others the way that the one-time hopeless individual had to seek out, either by himself or through another's guidance. It is only when conscience whispers, "Now you must prove your gratitude," that we speak words which heal the sick and reform the sinner. Not before this occurs are we ready to prove in a practical way that we have been healed by Christian Science. Progressive as is the study of Christian Science, each student adds to his own happiness and usefulness when he puts self aside and finds his own chief joy in supplying his brother's need. The harvest is indeed plentiful, and no laborer is refused when he offers to lend a hand.—Julius Moritzen, New York, N. Y.