Something over a year ago, an opportunity was given me...

HARRIETTE H. ROOTE

Something over a year ago, an opportunity was given me by kind friends to look into Christian Science, but I thought, I had not the time. I was already a very busy woman, and beside, there were, I thought, physical limitations, and Science was a thing that could be put off to a more convenient season.

Not many months later, I was urged by my physicians to submit to the surgeon's knife without delay. Urged on by their anxiety for my welfare, I entered the hospital and submitted to a severe operation. For seven weeks after the operation, my physical suffering was great, but it was as nothing to the mental agony, the like of which I had never conceived it possible to endure and live; the physical torture was a positive relief compared to it.

Just why this accumulation of disasters fell upon me, I am unable to explain. I prayed, in my benighted way, to a God who seemed no more responsive than a graven image, to deliver me, by death if need be, from this desolate valley of many shadows. Nothing in medicine could help me, and I left the hospital physically and mentally prostrated. Seemingly there were but two alternatives left me—suicide or insanity,—and yet, curiously enough, I could discern neither rest for surcease from the treadmill of my diseased thoughts, even in these alternatives.

I had been "beaten with many stripes," and I was terribly bruised and broken; but my extremity was Truth's opportunity, for at this juncture a Christian Scientist came, and with gentle words of assurance, gave me a copy of Science and Health to read. I had not much confidence in the efficacy of the prescription; but with my hands folded helplessly before me, I had all the time at my command that had seemed so lacking a few months previously, and I took the proffered tonic, and was even thankful for it. Before twenty-four hours were passed, I realized that I had in the Bible and Science and Health the remedy most needful for me, and I absorbed the truth revealed by them as a sponge absorbs water. This was followed with a few treatments by a dear practitioner, and no words can describe the strength of the spiritual uplifting. Each succeeding day adds to the depth of my gratitude to Mrs. Eddy and to the dear practitioner and gentle friends who, by their loving kindness and assistance have made this spiritual condition possible. Blessings have followed every step of the way.

In the days of my despair and hopelessness, I thought if I could find something that would make the Bible seem real to me, something that would show me more of the love of God and less of His vengeance, more of life and less of death, I would acknowledge it before men. I have found it in Science. I have found a living Christ; have found the Bible, through Christian Science, to be active and powerful; have found a God of Love and Truth in whose Divine image and likeness it is blessed to have been created. It is true that spiritual knowledge is power. Christ said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God;" and Paul later explained how "The kingdom of God is not in word, but in power." Jesus said, "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." Therefore, for myself, I have chosen to look forward and upward.—HARRIETTE H. ROOTE, San Francisco, Cal.

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