When I first took notice of Christian Science, it was...

Thomas C. Clayton with contributions from Leslie Clayton

When I first took notice of Christian Science, it was with an atitude of contempt, though I had never looked between the covers of Science and Health. When I finally gained the consent of mortal egotism to regard Christian Science with some respect, it was not for physical healing, but because of the effect of its teachings upon others. I have however frequently experienced its beneficial effects in relieving pain and restoring health and comfort. For many years I suffered intensely from nervous headache. Twenty years ago I was released from that bondage through Christian Science, and although for several years there were occasional symptoms of the trouble, a little application of the truth was sufficient to cause them to vanish like mist before the sun.

I also suffered from the frequent presence of gallstones; but one treatment in Christian Science freed me from that trouble seventeen years ago, and I have had no symptom of it since. Among my acquaintances there is much comment on my general health, strength, and activity, on my youthful disposition and temperament, although I am past sixty-five years of age. When engaged in manual labor I have worked side by side with men of less than half my age, and my part of the work has never fallen behind.

The experience which has afforded me the greatest peace and joy was in regard to my work. Christian Science has inspired me with moral courage to do that which I clearly ought to do, regardless of criticism. As a young man I obtained a university education, and for many years taught with success; but like many others I thought teaching too slow, and so tried other lines of work, with only indifferent results. I had qualified for a professional vocation, but followed vocations requiring hard manual labor. So long as I continued such lines of industry, no matter how diligently and faithfully I labored, a sense of limitation oppressed me.

When The Christian Science Monitor was established, I began to read it from the very first and have missed but few numbers since, so that I have thus kept in touch with modern developments in school teaching. A year and a half ago my wife persuaded me to resume teaching, although with the exception of occasionally substituting or doing private tutoring I had not taught for many years. With the help of a practitioner it was made clear that such was the right thing to do. I therefore presented my credentials from the university to the state normal school at Gunnison, for which I received full credit, and with a few weeks' attendance, taking modern subjects, I was graduated with a life certificate to teach in any of the public schools of the state. I was the first one of this class to begin teaching after graduation, and have been teaching almost constantly since.

It is a matter of surprise to nearly everybody that one of my age, who had been so long out of the work of teaching, could resume it so easily, and at once take a stand in modern methods even in advance of the average among young teachers. I want to add that the fountain of youth, like the kingdom of heaven, is within.

Thomas C. Clayton, Montrose, Cal.

It is now more than five years since I first became interested in Christian Science. I did not think of it as a healing agent at the time, but after having read a few pages in Science and Health I laid off glasses which had been worn steadily for three years. The physician who examined my eyes had said I should never do without them and would require stronger lenses as I grew older. There has been no return of the eye trouble, nor have I worn the glasses since.

Numerous other healings followed, including the overcoming of chronic stomach disorder. I have relied on nothing but Christian Science since I began its study. I wish especially to say to those who seem to be hampered by the error known as limitation, that our every need has been met through the loving help of a practitioner whom we have never seen. Our understanding has been opened to know that God is an ever present help in trouble, and that our supply is spiritual, not material. I corroborate my husband's statement that while we were looking down for our supply no good results came, but when we turned away from material things and looked only to the one Mind to lead us, our supply came abundantly.

We both enjoy the Monitor, it is so very educational. We are constant readers of the Sentinel and Journal and find our every need is being met by our daily study of Christian Science. To say that we are thankful is far from expressing our appreciation of all the good that has come to us. We can do that only by striving each day to live in accordance with the teachings of divine Love.—Mrs. Leslie Clayton.

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