How I Found Christian Science September 17, 2012 Issue

'An overwhelming sense of peace'

Corey A. Taylor—Tamms, Illinois

I grew up Baptist/Pentecostal, and first encountered Christian Science about ten years ago while serving a 75-year prison sentence. After receiving a copy of The Christian Science Journal, I wrote a letter seeking companionship to a Christian Science practitioner in Texas. We maintained regular correspondence, and while each of her letters contained kernels of Christian Science, my purpose was purely social. Her gift of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy was donated to the prison library without a second glance.

Upon my placement in a Supermax prison, I began correspondence with another practitioner who then resided in Elsah, Illinois. On our first visit, I was forced to make several mental adjustments, as I’d never met anyone who talked like this lady did. She spoke of the Christ preceding Jesus and being an eternal principle. I thought she was delusional but sweet.

As time progressed, however, I became impressed by this woman’s kindness toward me. It was continual—for years—and without conditions, and I hadn’t shown anything beyond a passing interest in Christian Science. Yet she was helping me improve every aspect of my life, from my thought to my activities. When I told her at one point of my gratitude, she smiled and said, “Now it’s time for the real work.” She then imparted the need to love God and all Her children equivalently. She mailed me a new copy of Science and Health, which I devoured.

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