I should like to express gratitude for Christian Science,...
I should like to express gratitude for Christian Science, which came into my life about fifteen years ago. Being from early childhood of a religious temperament, I joined the church at the age of fourteen; and straightway began to be dissatisfied with its teachings. The more I heard of and pondered the doctrine of everlasting punishment, the more entangled grew the maze of unanswered questions, mystery, and despair which enshrouded me. Then, too, I was much distressed by some portions of the Scriptures.
I had contracted chronic catarrh about two years before this; and although I used many remedies, it gradually grew worse, so that I suffered also from almost continual headaches, accompanied with constipation and a very tired feeling. Some time after this I had to give up high school work on account of this trouble, and by so doing realized the defeat of my fondest ambition. My parents now feared I was consumptive. I was very melancholy and despondent, having no hope of anything, and was interested in little or nothing around me except my own miseries.
But, "the people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined." One day a lady and her husband came to visit for several days at the house where I was. They told us about Christian Science. I had never heard of it before; but it seemed more reasonable than anything I had ever tried. I began to be slightly interested, and borrowed a copy of the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. As I read, it was like a new language to me; there was such a depth of meaning in it. How lovely, for instance, are the words (p. 570), "Millions of unprejudiced minds—simple seekers for Truth, weary wanderers, athirst in the desert—are waiting and watching for rest and drink. Give them a cup of cold water in Christ's name, and never fear the consequences"! The Sunday following we attended a Christian Science service together: and from that day to this, I have never doubted that Christian Science is the religion taught and practiced by Christ Jesus. I am grateful to those who told me about Christian Science, although I have never seen them since. Constipation and headaches left me through the reading of the textbook; and after one treatment I have been entirely free from catarrh.
About ten years ago I was healed of appendicitis after suffering intensely. Sometimes the healing seemed slow, for it took about two weeks' time; and no sooner had I recovered than I greatly feared a return of it. Many had told me that if I did get better at that time, unless I had an operation, the trouble would return; and letters from relatives told me the same thing. So I voiced my fears to the practitioner, and she helped me. The Lesson-Sermons in the Christian Science Quarterly and the Christian Science periodicals also helped. I have never had any return of the trouble: the grace of God has been sufficient for me.
I am grateful for the healing of a great sense of fear and nervousness when staying alone at night. After one treatment it left me; and since then, for several months at a time, during three consecutive years, it was necessary for me to be alone with the two children. But, thanks be to God, it was entirely without fear or nervousness. In fact, Science has helped and healed me of so much that every thing I have and am I owe to Christian Science. I am grateful for the decidedly changed outlook on life that I slowly gained through the study of Christian Science; for all discouragement and despondency have yielded, and the result is a happy disposition.
About two years after becoming interested in Christian Science I became the happy possessor of all of Mrs. Eddy's writings. To read them was like exploring a new, undiscovered land, which looked far freer and happier than the old. But I did not take to the reading of the Manual, although I began doing the daily work it prescribes (see pp. 40-42), upon the advice of a practitioner. Except for that, I would very seldom open the book, thinking it unnecessary, as we lived where there were very few if any Scientists and no Christian Science church or society. Later on, had I not been so ignorant of the teachings contained in the Manual, I would have been spared much trouble. So now I have gained another daily companion, namely, the Manual of The Mother Church.
I am profoundly grateful for all of our dear Leader's writings; also, for the record of her selfless life, and for all the activities of The Mother Church. I am grateful, too, for membership in The Mother Church and a society; also for class instruction, and for the many proofs of divine Love's protecting care over our children, my husband, and myself. We have seen it proved many times that Love "never faileth," when croup, earache, colds, and coughs have been swept to their native nothingness by the power of divine Love. Heart trouble and liver complaint have also entirely yielded, leaving instead continuous good health and harmony.
I am grateful to all those who so lovingly and patiently helped me when the uphill journey seemed rugged and steep. I am deeply grateful to Christ Jesus, the Way-shower, and most of all to God for His goodness and love.
(Mrs.) Edith M. Medd, Nobleford, Alberta, Canada.
