I wish to show my gratitude for Christian Science by...

Ruth Browning Buck

I wish to show my gratitude for Christian Science by testifying to just a small part of the blessings I have received therefrom. In the first place, I took up the study of Christian Science, as given in Mrs. Eddy's book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," because I was in sore need of spiritual uplifting, which I could see invariably came to those who earnestly studied and applied, as fast as they understood, the rules of Christian Science.

Although I had been brought up in an orthodox church and was familiar with the Bible from infancy, when grief and anxiety and turbulence came, my religious teachings and Bible study offered very little practical help. I drew my letter of resignation from membership in the church, and threw it away. Although the Bible was read occasionally, so little was grasped of the true import of its message that gradually it was given up entirely. The Christian religion, I decided, was all very well so long as people's lives moved along in a fairly normal way, but when circumstances were such that the heart was so heavy one would lie awake for hours in the night, and on getting up would dread the new day, religion seemed to me of little use!

During these years of desperate mental struggle my attention was being drawn to Christian Science by the change it was bringing about in the life of a very dear friend. From a morose and resentful outlook on life, her viewpoint had changed to one of glad interest, even though she was passing through "great tribulation." Also, other friends and acquaintances were taking up the study of Christian Science, and without exception were gaining in one way or another. From what I saw I began to realize that much of my trouble lay in my own mental attitude, and I thought that if Science could bring about such a change in others, surely it could do something for me.

It is now more than seven years since I began the study of Christian Science. While the battle with error has been long and severe, and in fact is still raging, yet Truth is winning, and with it all is a courage and spiritual joy which

I never in my life have known before. Now I see things in their true light. To a great extent sensitiveness, resentment, self-pity, self-righteousness, ingratitude, and the judging of others are being overcome. Also worry and fear are being replaced by the realization of the all-power and ever-presence of God, good.

As the mother of growing children I am especially grateful for all the help Christian Science offers in the training and guiding of young lives. Undoubtedly, if Christian Science is earnestly studied and practiced, in time error of every sort does give way to right; disease of every sort yields to an understanding of Truth. For the past five years the children and I have relied entirely on Christian Science. We have had protection from sickness, and numerous healings of minor ailments; and there is one demonstration of the healing power of God which I will give here.

Three years ago our third child was born in Science. During the months before the birth, and at the birth, we relied solely on Christian Science. Nausea, which had accompanied the prenatal periods with the two elder children, was entirely overcome in the case of the last one. Although the first two infants had to be nourished on cow's milk, with this baby all inharmony was overcome, and the little one thrived on an abundance of natural food. On the forenoon of the day of the birth I was about, ironing until one o'clock. A little after three the infant was born. Our home is five miles from our little town. Circumstances took me into town for the birth, and into the home of a dear practitioner, who did faithful and loving work for both the infant and myself. We stayed with her for nine days. On the ninth day, after one of the happiest and most wonderful periods in my whole life, we drove home in a sled in a raging Montana blizzard. On reaching home I prepared the noon meal, and went about my work as I had been doing up to the time I left.

My health is perfect, and I continue to do my own work on a stock ranch, where buckets of water have to be pumped and carried, and a woman's work is unusually trying. I have given this particular testimony in some detail, hoping that it may give courage to the coming mother who is just "trying her wings" in Christian Science.

I used to wonder why Christian Scientists always spoke of Mrs. Eddy with such tenderness and reverence. But since I have become familiar with the struggles of her life and know how bravely she persisted, and how surely and successfully she has given to suffering humanity the Science of the healing power of the Christ, I too reverence this great woman and feel confident that she was divinely sustained and guided in this holy work.

I know, too, that God is guiding and protecting each seeker for Truth, and though our feet may slip aside from the true path, and the way seem temporarily lost, His love does draw us back from darkness into light.

(Mrs.) Ruth Browning Buck, Ekalaka, Montana.

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