Christian Science came into my life many years ago as an...

Christian Science came into my life many years ago as an answer to my prayer that God would reveal Himself to me. Having lost all faith in a God that could not or would not relieve the sufferings of His children, I was led to see that Christian Science reveals the true Father, with whom Christ Jesus said "all things are possible." I heartily long to express my gratitude for what this teaching has done for me, but so many are the blessings it has brought into my life that it is difficult to know where to begin telling about them. The textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, was sent to my home by a dear sister, who wrote telling us that it is the pearl of great price, worth selling everything to get. I shall never forget the feeling with which I read the opening sentence, "To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, to-day is big with blessings." Much of the book seemed quite impossible to understand or practice at first, but I kept on reading, knowing that it was God's answer to my prayer, that it would teach me how to lean on the sustaining infinite, and that the blessings would follow. The periodicals were a great help to me, as they seemed easier for me to understand, especially the pamphlets, which I used to carry about with me everywhere.

What first dawned upon me was the thought so beautifully expressed in a Christian Science pamphlet, "All we ever need to do is that which is pleasing in the sight of God, that which conforms to divine requirements." It helped me to see that the education I so much needed would come to me in God's own way, so that I should not have to force my way to it by leaving my home, which was on a lonely island, while I was needed there. I had wanted to pass the examination for teachers and also the matriculation examination, and was reading my schoolbooks every spare moment. Still I had almost had to give up the hope of it, as my friends in town told me it had taken them four years or more to pass these examinations after leaving the ordinary schools. I could not think of getting either time or money for four years' study at a college. Then Christian Science came into my life, and everything seemed to open up. The sister who had sent the textbook to me helped me, as did her husband. Another sister came home to take my place and I got permission at school to try to take the first examination after only one year's study at school. It meant hard work all day and a great part of every night. My teachers said it was madness and that it had never been attempted before, as far as they knew. The thought was suggested from every side that it would end in a nervous breakdown and that my certificate, even if I managed to get one, would not be good enough to help me to a position as a teacher. All these suggestions were met and overcome by this new understanding of God as Love, and I worked for the most time easily and comfortably, knowing that God, divine intelligence, is reflected by man.

When the time for examination came there was no nervousness; I knew I must have the right answer to every question, having read in a Sentinel that question and answer are only two sides of a statement. When I got my certificate it proved to be one of the best that was given that year, and far from being a nervous wreck I immediately went to the college where I wished to pass the matriculation examination. This I did in another year, being at the same time a pupil teacher some hours of each day. It must be added that in earlier school life I had not been considered more clever than the other pupils of my age. But I clung to the statement in Science and Health (p. 258): "The human capacities are enlarged and perfected in proportion as humanity gains the true conception of man and God." Also the statement on page 128: "The human mind, imbued with this spiritual understanding, becomes more elastic, is capable of greater endurance, escapes somewhat from itself, and requires less repose."