Several years ago, while on a business trip in the Middle West,...

Charles C. Paul

Several years ago, while on a business trip in the Middle West, I began to have trouble with my teeth. Supposing this to be a form of neuralgia I rubbed the gums with medicine and took opiates to deaden the pain, but the condition continued to grow worse. Arriving at St. Paul, I sought the services of a well-recommended surgeon-dentist, and his first step was to take X-ray photographs of my jaws. The photographs clearly indicated that five teeth were in a badly ulcerated condition. He proposed the extraction of all my teeth as the best course to pursue. While I did not at the time question his judgment in this matter, it seemed better to make the effort to get to my home in the East and put my case in the hands of my regular dentist. Accordingly I secured accommodation on a fast train for Chicago, planning to make connections there for the first limited to New York.

While on the Pullman a fellow traveler saw my distress, spoke of Christian Science, and offered me the textbook to read. Our revered Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, in this textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," makes this statement (p. 570) : "Millions of unprejudiced minds—simple seekers for Truth, weary wanderers, athirst in the desert—are waiting and watching for rest and drink. Give them a cup of cold water in Christ's name, and never fear the consequences." What I read seemed to make no impression upon me at the time, nor had the pain diminished at all on our arrival at Chicago, but the quiet confidence of the Christian Scientist was conforting as we parted in the railroad terminal waiting room.

Not realizing that the "cup of cold water" was fulfilling its healing mission, I spent many weary hours in Chicago, unwilling to travel farther, yet uncertain what step to take next. Then I met a business acquaintance, who took in the situation at a glance. He sent me directly to a Christian Science practitioner, and in two treatments I was completely healed.

Immediately following this healing the textbook was secured, my business trip resumed, and in the months that followed I enjoyed a better sense of freedom and well-being than I had ever before known. In the years that have followed, many healings have taken place and many valuable lessons have been learned. Whereas I was once subject to frequent bilious attacks, severe headaches, colds, catarrh, constipation, now all of these have practically disappeared from my experience. I have been healed of the desire to use tobacco or intoxicating liquor in any form, and many forms of worldliness have been destroyed as a result of prayer and study. The Bible is no longer a closed book, and the words and works of our Way-shower, Christ Jesus, and of other noble Bible characters are proving a daily inspiration.

I am grateful for membership in The Mother Church and a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, for class instruction, and for the privilege of sharing in the activities of our movement. I am deeply grateful to our revered Leader, through whose unselfed love Christian Science has been made available to all. How joyfully we may realize her statement (Science and Health, p. 13): "Love is impartial and universal in its adaptation and bestowals. It is the open fount which cries, 'Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the water.'"

Charles C. Paul, Watertown, Massachusetts.

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