In 1902 my health began to fail, and it was at first...

John J. Todd with contributions from Harriet J. Grant

In 1902 my health began to fail, and it was at first thought that I had overworked myself and would be easily restored by rest and a change; but the benefit was only temporary, and I soon broke down again. This time the trouble was diagnosed as nervous breakdown, and after dragging along through the summer of 1903 without improving, I again went away, and was apparently somewhat better when I returned. A friend then offered me a situation requiring outdoor work. In the spring of 1905 my health gave out completely, I developed a severe cough, and my family and friends urged me to go West immediately. As it seemed quite an undertaking to wind up my business, I wished to be sure that this was necessary and went to a physician and asked for a thorough examination.

When Christian Science was recommended to me, I had undergone a part of the physical examination, and the outcome had been most discouraging. The verdict was that my lungs were affected, and if I wished to prolong my life I must go to a different climate. The prospect of leaving my little children fatherless tormented me hourly, and my life, which had seemed so full with fine business prospects, hosts of friends, and a happy family, was now burdened with care and discouragement, I grasped at Christian Science at once. I was glad to try anything that promised any help whatever, and went to see a practitioner, my voice so weak that I could scarcely be heard across the room. His advice to me as the first step toward Christian Science, was to break off the medical examinations I was then undergoing. As I recall this interview, during which I asked questions and received answers thereto, I realize that my mind was not only made up to discontinue medical treatment and examinations, but that I had taken a long step on the road to recovery. I went home and destroyed all my medicine, telling my wife that I was going to try Christian Science.

I had obtained a copy of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," and commenced to read it at once. I had never read the Bible, had never thought it practical, but I had been reading Science and Health only a few days when I found a Bible a positive necessity. When I read the Gospel of John, I found to my surprise that it alone contained more meaning to me than I had expected to find in the whole book. I knew I was healed, and that I had found a remedy for every discord,—the Science of Life. My duty was plainly shown me in Jesus' words as given in Matthew, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Afterward I asked for help in overcoming the tobacco habit, to which I had been a slave for twenty years, and was healed in five treatments. I have also lost the taste for alcoholic stimulants, which I occasionally used to excess. The desire for all these things has been utterly eliminated from my consciousness. Our children have never had a drop of medicine since my healing, where previously they took medicine continually and we paid doctors' bills as regularly as we paid the grocer.

Through the study and development of this beautiful teaching, my views of everything have undergone a transformation. I realize that material living, apart from the influence and operation of spiritual law, brings nothing but misery and disappointment, and I am glad to gain a newness of life by applying myself to the study of the Science of being, which alone brings peace and happiness. As my understanding grows of what it has meant to bring this wonderful truth to the knowledge of this needy world, I rejoice that one has been faithful and unselfish enough for the great work, and my heart is filled with gratitude to Mrs. Eddy, not only for her insight to reveal this truth, but for her endurance in its establishment.

John J. Todd, Nashville, Tenn.

Christian Science was a revelation to me, and it came as a result of reading Mrs. Eddy's wonderful book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." As I was reading the chapter on Prayer, I became so repentant that I turned to God with my whole heart. I was weeping as I scarce ever had wept before, and the "still small voice" said, as plainly as though some one had spoken to me, that Christ had always been here.

At the time this happened I was in California, where I had gone two years before for my health, my family and friends thinking I might never return, as I was believed to have organic lung disease. There was also a complication of other diseases, which had made me a useless invalid for more than twenty years, never having been able to do my housework or walk any distance, and for seven years of that time I was confined to the bed. When I finally got around again I was never able to stand without support, and even this was attended with great suffering. I was healed of the lung trouble in four treatments by a dear practitioner in Santa Ana. Later, this lady having gone away, I sought the help of another one of God's children, and was healed in two weeks of all my diseases, and have never used any material aid or medicine from that time to this. For all the help given me in Christian Science I shall never cease to be grateful. At the second healing work I experienced a most wonderful exaltation and uplifting, which was a veritable foretaste of heaven. I seemed to be on the mountain-top, and the Scripture was renewedly fulfilled, "They shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." I have had some difficult problems to work out, but God has never failed me yet. For all of this I am impelled to echo Mrs. Eddy's soul-stirring words: "Glory be to God, and peace to the struggling hearts! Christ hath rolled away the stone from the door of human hope and faith" (Science and Health, p.45).

I can find no words to express the valuation which I place on Mrs. Eddy's writings. Suffice it to say that if I could not get another copy of Science and Health all the wealth of the world could never buy the copy I now have. The Christian Science periodicals never fail to supply my need, and they are a never-ending source of joy and comfort to me. I realize that I have found in Christian Science that for which I have always been seeking, the truth about God and man. My prayer is that some weary and thirsty ones may find this "water of life" as I have, by studying the Bible in connection with Science and Health, which is a veritable "Key to the Scriptures."

Mrs. Harriet J. Grant, Lynch, Neb.

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