My health had been failing for several years. My family physician told me that I had better go to the mountains, and gave it as his opinion that my health would be restored. I came to the Black Hills in the spring of 1877, but instead of improving I grew worse. The doctors here said I could not live in this country, and sent me back to my old home in St. Joseph, Mo. I remained there four months and then returned to the Hills some better but not well.

During my illness my physician told me I must get liquor and take it regularly three times a day before meals. I was then a slave to medicine and tobacco, and here was a prospect of contracting the liquor habit, which was worse, if possible, than the other two; for it dethrones reason and robs man of his self-respect. But still I must take it, for the doctor said so. So I commenced taking it, and continued for several years, and acquired a desire for it. Had it not been for Christian Science, I should more than likely have become a regular slave to the liquor habit.

Wherever I went my pills, powders and plasters, whiskey, cigars and tobacco were sure to accompany me. But still no improvement. I was again told by the doctors that I could not live in this country, and the sooner I left it the better. I had almost despaired of ever having my health again.

In the fall of 1886 I was shipping cattle to Chicago, and business called me to the residence of Mr. W. T. K., a commission man doing business in the Union Stock yards of that city. His son, a boy about fifteen years of age, was in the last stage of Bright's disease. Mr. K. informed me that four doctors had been there that day and held a consultation and decided that nothing more could be done for the boy. He told me there was a woman over in Hyde Park that had done some wonderful things in the way of healing, and as all other means had failed he thought of taking the boy to her. He related a number of cures and asked me what I thought of it. I said try it, by all means. The next morning Mr. K. took the boy to the lady. The boy received his first treatment, and on their way home he told his father he was better. That day he ate a hearty dinner, which greatly alarmed the family. Mr. K. remarked to me that he was satisfied that would be Joe's last meal. But when supper came, to their great surprise, Joe said he was hungry. He was taken to the table and again ate heartily. The family were all of the opinion that Joe would pass away during the night; but were again surprised the next morning when the boy told them he was hungry. I then came home, but asked Mr. K. to write me from time to time how the boy was getting along. In four weeks I received a letter from Mr. K. stating that Joe was perfectly well and going to school.

During the winter following I was suffering untold misery from sciatic rheumatism. I wrote to my friend asking him if he thought the lady that cured Joe could do me any good. To which he replied, "I will answer you just as you did me. If you have tried everything else, and everything has failed, I would try it, by all means."

I applied for treatment, and in a few days I was entirely healed. Not only healed of physical ills but also of the loathsome and vile habits of smoking, chewing, and drinking; and since my healing I have had no desire for them.

My wife was then in bed suffering from the same trouble of which I had been healed. I looked upon my healing as something wonderful; I felt as if I had been snatched, as it were, from the brink of the grave. I bought a copy of Science and Health and began the study of Christian Science. Up to this time I had never heard the name of Christian Science: but I knew I was well, a thing I could not have said for twenty years before. I then learned that people could be treated absently, so I told my healer to treat my wife. I then wrote to my wife and told her I was well, and Mrs. L. was going to treat her, and if she discovered any change before I got home to note the time, so she could tell me. This was Monday, and I got home the Saturday evening following. My wife met me at the door, and said she was well. I then inquired when the change took place. She replied that on Wednesday about eleven o'clock she became easy and got up and dressed herself and went out to dinner with the family. This was the day Mrs. L. began to treat her. Her healing must have been instantaneous. I said, "Here is more evidence in favor of this new remedy."

Our oldest son, then a great sufferer from rheumatism, went to the same person and was healed. He took a course of instruction, came home, went to work, and the demonstrations that followed his slight understanding were truly wonderful.

I was still reading the blessed little book, Science and Health, and by this time the Bible, which had been laid aside years before, began to be interesting to me, and when going East on business or going to my ranch in Wyoming, instead of filling my grip with pills, powders, plasters, whiskey, cigars, and tobacco, I put in Science and Health, the Bible, and the Journal. I made these a constant study, and in fact thought of but little else.

About this time my second son, who had been treated by many physicians and pronounced incurable by all, applied to Christian Science for treatment and was healed in a remarkably short time.

In February, 1888, I went into a class taught by Mrs. L. I received such a blessing that I was anxious to have all my old friends come into Christian Science and be happy, and I really thought they would. I came home and went to healing and preaching the glad tidings. This did not suit the mortal thought and the old serpent began to raise his head in opposition. Then it was that theology, materia medica, and gross error joined hands to crush Truth. But as Paul said, "None of these things move me;" I just went on doing the best I knew how, working out my own problem, and doing the best I could to help others. In February, 1889, my wife, little daughter, and I, attended a class taught by our beloved teacher and Leader, the Rev. Mary B. G. Eddy, the Founder of Christian Science.—John C. Ryan, Spearfish, S. D.