Although I was baptized into an orthodox faith, my family...

Louise Pond Nelson

Although I was baptized into an orthodox faith, my family had no definite church affiliations and I attended the Sunday schools of almost all of the larger denominations. When I was a young girl I joined one of these churches, but when I went out into the world alone I ceased attending any services and my life was spent in the pursuit of pleasure. One evening a friend invited me to attend a Wednesday evening testimony meeting with her. I was very much impressed with what I heard there, but, like many another, I thought Christian Science was useful only for the healing of disease, and as my health seemed perfect I felt I had no need for it.

Some years later a friend presented me with a copy of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. I then began to attend both the Wednesday and Sunday services, and took intellectual pride in the belief that I understood this Science, for I still did not see that I needed it as a vital part of my daily life. I continued in this way for some time, getting the letter and not the spirit, but never thinking of trying to apply what I had been reading until one day I developed a severe sore throat. I had always accepted colds as a normal part of life, and had one or more each winter, but this was the most severe sore throat I had ever experienced. I managed to stay at my work all day, but upon retiring, and being unable to sleep because of the pain, the thought suddenly came to me, You have heard of people being healed just by reading that book. Why -shouldn't it heal you? I read the textbook for about an hour, but seemed to understand nothing, and then, although the pain was as severe as ever, I fell asleep. In the morning I found, to my great joy, that my throat was completely healed.

Even after this I was not ready to acknowledge my need for Christian Science, and went back to the "fleshpots" for a few years longer, periodically turning to Christian Science when things went wrong. I always received healing, notably of a bad case of double vision, which yielded after about two weeks' treatment by a practitioner, and of influenza, which was completely healed after about two treatments, so that I returned to my work feeling better than I ever had, and with no period of convalescence.

Finally, after coming to the tropics some years ago, I became so unhappy because of losing faith in someone for whom I cared a great deal, that life did not appear to be worth living. There seemed to be no answer to my problem and I earnestly prayed to God for guidance. I was soon led to get out Science and Health, which, even though I had not looked into it for years, I took with me wherever I went. I seemed to sense that some day I should have to consider this Science seriously, but I was not yet quite ready for it. I had to learn that there is no satisfaction in materiality and gave it up willingly. Circumstances then forced me to come to Havana, which I did most unwillingly, as I knew hardly anyone here, but I can see now that this step was the answer to my prayer, for here I found a Christian Science Society and practitioners. I shall never forget the first service I attended in the little hall which the society rented at that time. I felt as if I had been on a long, trying journey, and had come home to peace and rest and friends. I left that service almost walking on air, so free did I feel.

While the way has not been easy at times, I have since even been tempted to forsake Christian Science. There is still much to be uprooted for my consciousness, but I rejoice that I am on the way, and that I have a guide to help me when I stumble. I am grateful for an increasing appreciation of Mrs. Eddy, as the magnitude of her work unfolds to me. I am grateful for the many blessings which are constantly coming into my life, and particularly for freedom from the belief that happiness is dependent upon persons, places, and things; for the patience, kindness, and help which practitioners in many places have given me; for the Christian Science churches and Reading Rooms, which are havens of refuge when we most need them; for supply and guidance during the trying times which the world at large has been experiencing; for membership in The Mother Church and in a Christian Science Society, and for the privilege of doing active work in that society.

(Mrs.) Louise Pond Nelson, Havana, Cuba.

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November 16, 1935

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