From 1898 to 1908 I suffered a great deal from heart...

WILLIAM BAXTER

From 1898 to 1908 I suffered a great deal from heart disease, supposedly the result of a fever contracted when ten years of age. I had paid slight attention to it until after being examined by a doctor for an appointment, in 1897, when I was eighteen years old. The doctor pronounced my complaint an organic disease of the heart, and then the trouble grew worse, as my thought was centered upon the complaint. Being unable to secure the appointment (the doctor had kindly said that owing to my circumstances he would pass me for it, but I refused as it did not seem wise to go farther), I borrowed some money and went to South Africa in October, 1898.

In three months I was in a hospital in Cape Town, with the first acute attack of heart trouble. For the next three years I had occasional attacks, until in 1902, when in Pretoria, I was several weeks in a hospital. It was thought that Johannesburg would suit me better, so my employers arranged for me to take up an appointment there; but the day after leaving the hospital I was taken back. I had a relapse, and for several days my condition was extremely critical. This resulted in losing my appointment, as it was considered advisable for me to get back to sea-level; so I returned to Cape Town. In a few weeks I was again in a hospital, after which I obtained work, only to be laid up again in about two months. By this time my savings were almost gone, and I decided to return to England while I had the money, so I came home in March, 1903. For the next four or five years there was no improvement, and during this period I wrote to a friend to send me some money to have by me for funeral expenses, as funds were at bed-rock and doctors gave me no hope of improvement.

While in South Africa I had been interested in Christian work, and one day a lady visitor to the house where I was staying spoke about the power of faith. The subject interested me, as a couple of years before I had heard a slight reference to Christian Science and I had often pondered, while lying ill, about the healings of the Master; but no one could give me any light. In 1907 I had begun to take a more independent line of reasoning, the conflicting nature of the medical opinions in my case confirming me in the thought of the unsatisfactory understanding of disease and how to deal with it which all the doctors had exhibited, as compared with the healings of Christ Jesus.

In September, 1908, the pastor of the church of which I was a member announced a sermon against Christian Science, which was influencing the thought of some members of his flock; and although I had a great admiration for him, I felt this was something I ought to inquire into myself. We are bidden to "prove all things; hold fast that which is good;" so instead of going to hear his sermon I went to a Christian Science meeting. Being favorably impressed, I borrowed a copy of Health, and the chapter on Prayer completely altered my attitude. I commenced the study in earnest, and in a few days my whole outlook on life was changed; I was a new man; the hideous dream of years had passed away, and I was at last experiencing that "peace of God, which passeth all understanding." This was over two years ago, and from that time to this I have not lost one day's work, but am proving daily what are the things "added" unto us by seeking first the kingdom of God. Whereas before taking up the study of Christian Science I was continually being bolstered up with drugs and plasters, avoiding rain and fogs, certain articles of diet, likewise hills and stairs and undue exertion, since relying "on the sustaining infinite" (Science and Health, Pref., p. vii), as understood and taught in Christian Science, I have not resorted to a single material remedy, I have lived the life of a normal, healthy person, and have been able to work at full pressure with comparative ease and comfort.

The very great cloud of fear and uncertainty which overshadowed the happiness of our home was one of the earliest things to be removed, and only those who have experienced this fear can appreciate the joy and peace of such freedom. So many ills have entirely disappeared that I am greatly encouraged to press onward, knowing that in proportion to my sincerity of desire for that Mind to be in me "which was also in Christ Jesus," I am following the path which leads to complete salvation. Apart from the physical advantages, I am most thankful for the spiritual uplifting which comes from the conscientious study of the Bible in conjunction with "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." I can gratefully say that even if Christian Science did not heal disease, I would "hold fast" to it for the purity of its teachings and the effect brought about by the better understanding of God and His Christ, which reveals the Father's wonderful love.

WILLIAM BAXTER, Bishopston, Bristol, England.

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