In 1897 I was led through friends to investigate Christian Science
In 1897 I was led through friends to investigate Christian Science. For fifteen years previous to that time I had been in the drug business and was a graduate of what is said to be the best college of pharmacy in this country. Through loss of health, and financial loss brought about largely by the neglect of business made necessary by my physical and mental condition, the drug business was disposed of in 1895. At that time I had been under the care of three of the best physicians in our city for a period of two years or more. My condition had been diagnosed differently by each of the three physicians. The first one apparently did not understand my case at all, he simply knew I was in an extremely nervous condition, but did not know how to handle the case. The second one said that my condition had been brought about by worry over business reverses, and that I would be all right in a few weeks. He gave me much medicine, however, even though he had said there was "nothing the matter,"—in other words, he was practically giving me suggestive therapeutic treatment. All this time I was getting worse, and finally changed to the third physician. He diagnosed my disease as nervous exhaustion or degeneration, affecting all the organs of the body and their secretions. I began a very rigid treatment under this physician, and continued it for over a year. About six months after beginning treatment with him, my friends advised me to try Christian Science. I unwisely spoke to the doctor about it, and he told me Christian Science was all right for people who had nothing the matter with them, but for me it could do nothing. I went on with his treatment for more than six months longer, and while perhaps a little improved in some ways, I was in a most distressing mental condition; in fact I have not sufficient command of the English language to describe this dreadful state. I could eat very little that did not cause me intense pain, but the doctor encouraged me by telling me I was coming out all right in the end, though secretly he sent word to my wife that he considered my case hopeless and the worst he had ever treated or known.
It was in this condition—after two years of medical treatment and intense suffering, marked for the grave by my physician and all my friends—that I finally sought relief through Christian Science. Throughout eternity I shall never forget the first interview I had with the faithful practitioner who afterwards treated me. With fifteen years of medical education in my thought, it was rather hard to take in all that was said to me at the first interview. I was convinced, however, of many things, and that this student had the understanding I needed. We had a general talk and a few moments of silent prayer, followed by the voicing of truth by the practitioner. I did not make arrangements for treatment on this day. I was told to eat for supper what was set before me and ask no questions "for conscience sake." I did so, and was not distressed in the least. I had been taking some five or six different kinds of medicine,—before and after eating, between meals, and upon going to bed,—and I cannot fully recall what I did that night about taking them, but never since that day have I taken any medicine or had any desire to do so. I went out of the city next day to remain over Sunday, and while away I ate everything that was placed before me, without being in the least distressed. The healing of my stomach troubles was instantaneous, on the day I had the first interview with the practitioner, and it was permanent. Upon my return to the city, the following Monday or Tuesday, I sought the practitioner and made arrangements for treatment, bought a copy of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, also a copy of her "Miscellaneous Writings." The treatment lasted for three weeks,—the last week being more to make sure I could go on by myself. My mental and entire physical condition began immediately to improve and continued to do so. I was so deeply impressed with my healing that I started on a thorough investigation of Christian Science; for a period of two years or more I read very little else, but made Science and Health and other writings by Mrs. Eddy, my teacher and companions.
It may be interesting to mention that the last physician who treated me had sent me to an oculist. He claimed to find a condition in which glasses were needed, and my regular physician instructed me not to leave them off, as he was very anxious to "save all the nerve force possible." Very shortly after coming into Science I laid aside the glasses, and have never had occasion to use them since. It may also be interesting to state that my wife had a similar demonstration over the wearing of glasses. Through a mishap her glasses were broken, and she immediately declared that she could see without them, nor has she had occasion to wear any since. She also had a demonstration over a growth on the face that was diagnosed by her family physician as of a serious nature, and which had attained considerable size. The growth was removed through a declaration of the truth made during a call from a sister Scientist. It disappeared shortly after that call, my wife being uncertain as to the time.
At the time of my healing I was a member of an orthodox church of this city. At the proper time I withdrew from membership there and united with First Church of Christ, Scientist, Syracuse, N. Y. I was simply starving for this blessed truth, which I did not get in my old church, and have ever since been striving to follow our Leader's counsel,
"Study thoroughly the letter and imbibe the spirit" (Science and Health, p. 495), and I have met with some marked success in this line. This blessed understanding of Truth has not only healed me physically and mentally, but has led me into new paths of usefulness and happiness; it has taught me how to live, how to care for my family, and how to help my friends when they will allow me to do so; it has led me to study my Bible as never before, and has unlocked the heretofore closed door of knowledge. I have established a manufacturing business and carried on an insurance agency with success through my understanding of the teachings of Christian Science. I especially mention the manufacturing business, because it was started without money, and at this time is a success and still growing.
I owe a deep debt of gratitude to God, to the friends who induced me to look into this truth, and especially to the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mrs. Eddy. I feel that Jesus the Christ would say of her also: "Verily I say unto you. Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her." Blessed indeed is the truth which restores a person in my former state to his right mind and cleanses him mentally, morally, and physically. Christian Science to me has been, and still is, like the unfolding of a beautiful rose. My wife joins with me in giving this testimony, and the case is open for the investigation of any honest seeker after the truth.
FREDERICK H. FOX, Syracuse, N. Y.
