I first became interested in Christian Science a number of years ago. I did not take it up for any physical reason as I was an unusually healthy and energetic man. After studying for a short time I was enabled to overcome a quick temper and the use of profane language, and by applying the knowledge I had gained I was greatly assisted in my daily work. I learned that it was easier to handle workingmen by applying the Golden Rule than by abuse. One of my first proofs of the practical use of Christian Science came about as follows: While I was standing on the ground, opening a freight car door, without warning the heavy steel and wood carrier on which the door hung fell, grazing my head and striking my shoulder with full force. The pain was intense and my first thought was that my arm was broken. This was immediately contradicted and replaced with thoughts of Truth. Much to the amazement of my fellow worker, who knew nothing of Christian Science, I was able to resume work in a few minutes, and worked all the afternoon, unloading one-hundred-pound sacks of dried fruit, without any pain or inconvenience. All that remained the next day as the result of the experience was a small mark on my forehead. The shoulder was not bruised or stiff. Going home on the street car late one wet night I fell asleep and on waking noticed that the car had just passed my street. Without waiting for the car to stop, I jumped off and, falling, struck the back of my head full force on the ground. By realizing the ever presence of God I got up just as the conductor reached me, and much to his relief I walked home and suffered no pain that night or the following day. With the help of a Christian Science practitioner our daughter was healed of an abnormal growth on her head.

For some years my active interest in Christian Science dwindled. I occasionally went to church and to the Wednesday evening meetings but did practically no reading. When I needed help for physical troubles, however, I immediately went to a practitioner or called for absent treatment, and prompt relief was always obtained. One morning I awakened early and was unable to move on account of most intense pain in my back. With my wife's help I was finally able to stand up by holding on to the bed. I had great fear of paralysis. My wife telephoned for a practitioner to come to the home, and he arrived in a short time. Relief from pain was prompt, but there remained great fear of a recurrence on moving or on lying down. This was quickly overcome through work of the practitioner and I was back at work in two days.

For all the help both physical and moral that I have received through Christian Science I am certainly thankful to God and grateful to Mrs. Eddy. During the last few months I have learned how necessary it is for each individual who hopes to call himself a true Christian Scientist to study the Bible in conjunction with "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. I have relied too much on other people doing my work for me. Mrs. Eddy tells us on page 254 of Science and Health: "Individuals are consistent who, watching and praying, can 'run, and not be weary; ... walk, and not faint,' who gain good rapidly and hold their position, or attain slowly and yield not to discouragement." And in the same paragraph she adds, "When we wait patiently on God and seek Truth righteously, He directs our path." There may be times when we are seemingly discouraged; then we should remember what Mrs. Eddy says in a passage beginning on page 232 of Science and Health: "There is neither place nor opportunity in Science for error of any sort. Every day makes its demands upon us for higher proofs rather than professions of Christian power. These proofs consist solely in the destruction of sin, sickness, and death by the power of Spirit, as Jesus destroyed them. This is an element of progress, and progress is the law of God, whose law demands of us only what we can certainly fulfil."