I owe so much to Christian Science that I feel it a duty to send my testimony. I do so with a heart overflowing with gratitude to God, also with thankfulness to Mrs. Eddy, for my healing. It is now over two years since I was practically lifted from the grave and relieved of my ailments. I was said to be of a very nervous disposition from infancy up, while my eyes were very weak, and I began to wear glasses when quite young. I had frequent headaches, which were said to result from the condition of my eyes; but I always attended school, as it was my desire to become a teacher, and my wish was at last granted.

I began to teach the primary grades of my home school, and I dearly loved the work, but during the second year I became very nervous. I tried different so-called nerve tonics and seemed better for a while, but I then began to have what were called nervous breakdowns, the doctors saying that I needed a rest, and that I would have to give up my teaching if I wished to get better. My illness finally ran into what was called epilepsy, for which all cures that were ever heard of were tried. I also had throat trouble and would catch cold easily. My lungs became affected, so I was ordered to take long walks, and physical culture was tried. I walked two or three miles every morning, and dieted for months, but all in vain. I became very weak and had to give up walking, as my strength seemed to be leaving me and I was decreasing very much in weight.

I could not understand why I should suffer so, for I was a church-member, always tried my best to live a Christian life, but never could comprehend why God should punish me in that way. I often prayed to God to take me or deliver me from my misery, for I can never express in words my suffering. My older brother had been employed in the city for some time and wished us to go there, so we went; but after several months I became very much worse. I coughed more, my lungs pained me continually, and at times I could not talk above a whisper. I had been confined to my bed for several weeks when a noted specialist was called. He pronounced my case tubercular, and said that one lung was completely dried up and the other one was affected. He also said I could not live longer than a week, and perhaps not so long. He gave me medicines to quiet my nerves, but said I could not be cured.

We had not then heard much of Christian Science, but the manager of the company by which my brother was employed stated that his wife had been cured of several ailments by Christian Science and referred him to a practitioner. My brother came home and spoke to my mother about it, and the practitioner was called. I told her about all of my diseases, aches, and pains. She then explained God's love to me, said that my diseases were not real, and that God does not cause His children to suffer; that I could eat anything I wanted, and it would not hurt me. She was kind and patient, and she loaned me her copy of Science and Health and gave me three treatments in all, I think. I began to improve at once, and after the first treatment the thought came to me that if my other ailments could be cured, my eyes could be, too, and I took my glasses off at once and have not used them since, and my eyes are normal in every way. I felt much better, and every word in Science and Health was so interesting that I could not leave it. I read and reread it, for its teaching seemed so true and wonderful.

My health is now perfect in every way. I am healed of all my diseases, aches, and pains. I was greatly reduced when I began treatment in Christian Science, but in two months I gained considerable and am now quite robust. I am working every day, and can never express in words my thankfulness for this healing and the understanding which I have gained. When I meet my old friends and neighbors who knew of my ill health, they look at me in astonishment, as I have changed so much. I want to live so that others may see that there is something in Christian Science and its teachings, and that God's way is the only way which leads to life eternal.

Miss Frances Schlatter, Fort Wayne, Ind.

My attention was directed to Christian Science through the healing of my gums, also of a bowel difficulty of twenty-five years' standing. I then began the study of the text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," in which Mrs. Eddy says that "desire is prayer" (p. 1). It had been my prayer all my life long to know God, and I am learning each day that as our consciousness is purged of all error, evil, we come to understand Him. With even a slight understanding of Christian Science, I have overcome an irritable, impatient disposition.

About four years ago my daughter and I were coming home, and just as I started to get off the street-car, I discovered that it was still moving. I was thrown face downward, but I turned over and struck on my back. My head did not strike the pavement, and I was on my feet as quickly as I had fallen, to the surprise of those around me. Every one was excited but myself, my daughter fearing that I was seriously hurt; but I held God steadfastly in my thoughts and divine Love protected me.

One night in October, 1910, as I was asleep, these words came to me so vividly that I awoke:—

I was never able to interpret the dream until the night of Jan. 7, 1911, when I received a telegram telling me of the tragic death of my daughter. For a few moments I never moved, then the thought came to me that to God there is no separation, and some time afterward I remembered my dream and said: No, God does not move in a mysterious way, but in a divinely natural way, and to Him there is no death. What a sense of peace came over me in knowing that God is Love, and not a God of wrath! I have realized that God is my refuge and strength in times of sorrow, and through this great sorrow I am more humble and penitent. Mrs. Eddy says, "Sorrow has its reward;" also, "The more difficult seems the material condition to be overcome by Spirit, the stronger should be our faith and the purer our love" (Science and Health, pp. 410).

For all that Christian Science has done for me I am indeed grateful to God, and thankful to Mrs. Eddy for giving us in Science and Health a "Key to the Scriptures," an understanding of Truth which brings peace and joy and a contented mind.—Julia Parker, Los Angeles, Cal.