Christian Science has done so much for me during the last eight years, that I should like to express my gratitude through the columns of one of our periodicals, and I do so with the earnest desire that my experience may help some of its readers to reach the light. I was in great physical and mental trouble when I was at last persuaded to seek help from Christian Science by two friends who were not then, nor are they now, Christian Scientists themselves. My husband and I had first become somewhat interested in the subject by a magazine article against Christian Science, in consequence of which we had attended a Sunday evening service when passing through New York in 1902; but we could not understand it, and we did not know about the Wednesday evening meetings.

When in the following year I first went to a practitioner in London, I told her frankly that I did not believe in Christian Science, but that oculists seemed to have done all they could for me, and had failed to improve my condition. The four leading specialists I had consulted, or been treated by, agreed that I would never be able to read again. The leading one of them, to whom I had been periodically for eighteen years, during which time one eye was practically blind, often said, in response to my questionings, that it would be an act of creation to restore the sight in that eye. It was after three weeks' treatment in Christian Science that I first saw some slight sign of improvement, and it was in the eye which all the oculists had reported to be beyond medical help. My healing was very slow, and is not even yet complete. I was not seeking Truth in those early days when I first turned to Science. but only physical help.

At that time I was indeed blind to spiritual things, but as the first faint glimmer of spiritual understanding dawned in my consciousness, and I learned to know something of God as divine Principle, Love, the sense of sight improved. One by one the asserted medical laws which bore so heavily on me were broken, and I wore weaker and weaker lenses, till the time came when I was able to lay them aside altogether. I thank God with all my heart, that in spite of seemingly slow progress, I was guided to hold on to the truth. The road I had to travel seemed very difficult to me, but I was helped most kindly and patiently along the way, and as I learned to know more of this wonderful teaching, I found that true happiness, harmony, and health come from obeying the commandments of God, as epitomized and demonstrated by Christ Jesus, and from learning to resist evil's every claim of place or power.

I have had much in the way of physical healing since I began the study of Christian Science: sometimes it has been slow, sometimes instantaneous. As instances of the latter I recall attacks of rheumatism and severe colds, also a scalded hand. Some physical ailments dropped away from me without special treatment, and I have had better health than at any other period of my life, never, indeed, having been confined to my bed for an hour beyond my usual time in these eight years. But far beyond all the physical help I have received, is the change of outlook. Christian Science found me in the depths of despair, when I was indeed in the "horrible pit," and it lifted me out and set my feet upon the rock, Truth. It has given me hope, and confidence, and assurance of faith in God, for which I am most grateful. When I think of how I owe all this to the consecrated life of our beloved Leader, whose God-given book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," has explained so clearly the words and life-work of Christ Jesus, which had always seemed to me so incomprehensible and unpractical before, my heart overflows with gratitude, and I long to obey his injunction by letting my light so shine before men that they may glorify our Father which is in heaven.

Mrs. Florence E. B. Donaldson, London, England.

Three years ago my wife wished to try Christian Science for our elder daughter, who had been an invalid for seven years. Up to this time I had never heard of Christian Science, but I gave my consent, and a practitioner was called to take the case, although even then I did not take the trouble to find out how the healing was to be accomplished, nor did I realize in the least the blessings which indirectly would advert to me through this treatment. I did not, in fact, give any further thought to it, until three months afterward, at which time I started on a business trip through New York state. After starting out, I felt a mental change coming over me, but did not know what was bringing it about.

On Sunday morning I received a letter in my box at the hotel where I was stopping, and upon opening found it was an invitation to attend service at one of the churches in the city. Formerly I would have destroyed this letter after reading it, for I had not been accustomed to attend church, in fact I do not think I had been in church ten times in as many years. Later in the day I decided to attend the service, and while the minister was preaching he spoke of God, but after he had mentioned God's name I heard very little of the balance of his sermon. All I could think of was God; and in the mean time the tears came to my eyes, tears which I tried to hide lest some one should notice my emotion. I returned to the hotel for the night, and when I awoke on Monday morning I felt that I was a changed man. I wrote my wife what had happened, and upon my return home (which was Thanksgiving eve) I explained in detail my experience. My wife said she would like me to go to Brooklyn and see the practitioner who had been treating our daughter, and I consented. Several days later I met this practitioner and asked her a number of questions about Christian Science,—how the healing was accomplished, and whether she took the parents into her prayers when treating a child, as in our case. To this she replied in the affirmative. I then told her what had happened to me, and she seemed grateful for this demonstration of the impersonal power of Truth, which is ever available to help and to heal those who are ready for and therefore responsive to its influence. She advised me to read the Bible and Science and Health, which would answer all my questions. I also found that I had been healed of gall-stones, stomach trouble, the wearing of glasses, and minor ailments, for which I am indeed grateful.

I wish to say that since my healing I have secured two insurance policies. When I applied for insurance and stated on my application that I had suffered from gallstones, five companies refused me without an examination. The sixth, however, stated they would take me, provided I would submit to a thorough examination by their physician. I consented to this, with the result that they took me. In a year or so I was examined for another company, and this physician stated that I was as fine a specimen of physical manhood as he ever examined, and that he could not understand how I could ever have had gall-stones. I have never worn glasses from the day of my healing up to the present time, which is very nearly four years, and my health has been good ever since. I am trying to put into practise what I understand of Science, and the results are being made manifest.

Regarding the result in the case of my daughter, a great improvement has taken place. Ten years ago she was operated on, her head being cut open for the purpose of removing a growth said to be on the brain. The doctor stated she could not live, indeed she had become blind before this operation, and had not grown an inch in seven years. Since the time she was placed under Christian Science treatment she has grown at least five inches in height, has increased wonderfully in weight, and has enjoyed fairly good health. On several occasions her sight has returned for a moment, and I am confident that if we continue to be obedient to Truth, the perfect healing will come.

Words cannot express my thankfulness to God, also my gratitude to our beloved Leader for this spiritual uplift which has come to me. My only desire is to live so as to put into practise what I have received, that I too may give a cup of cold water in Christ's name to the thirsty ones who are seeking the truth.—H. N. Brown, Philadelphia, Pa.