Christian Science was first brought to my attention in...

Emma P. Waterman

Christian Science was first brought to my attention in September, 1913. It came just in time to keep me from being engulfed by a whirlpool of materiality, which was rapidly drawing me to its vortex with its rush of sickness, sin, and despair. In this hopeless state I paused many times and wondered if there was not something which could keep me from sinking. It was during one of these despairing moments that the answer came. A neighbor told me about a wonderful healing she had received through the application of Christian Science, and recommended that I try it. This was the first time I had ever heard anything about this Science, and without hesitancy I stretched forth my hands to receive its healing. The next day I called on the practitioner who had treated my neighbor. She endeavored to talk to me about God, but I was not at all interested in Him, because I had been taught that it was He who was making me suffer for sins which I knew I had not committed.

I was suffering from tuberculosis in its last stage, and my heart was so restricted that I could not use my left arm freely; my right kidney, I had been told, was out of place. At times my stomach was so painful I could take no food for several days, and when I could, I was unable to retain it. My legs would get so painful and stiff I could not walk; and for sixteen years I had worn glasses. Two doctors wanted to operate, but neither would guarantee the result.

From childhood I had been sickly. Periodically I would be normal, and during these times I was constantly warned not to do this or that, because it might result in my being ill again. This state of affairs had continued for thirty years.

At the time Christian Science was introduced to me, I was using five prescriptions daily. Through the application of this Science I was healed in five treatments. The joy and freedom of those first five days were beyond anything which I could convey in words. The entire universe seemed transformed. The kidney painlessly returned to its normal position, the heart condition was healed, and I could eat and enjoy my food. Instead of constantly wanting to sleep, I was alert and awake. I was free! A few weeks later I discovered that I was not wearing my glasses. I do not know when that particular healing took place.

As wonderful as my physical healing was, my greatest blessing was the healing of infidelity. My concept of God had been the very opposite of that which Christian Science teaches Him to be—in fact, I doubted His very existence. I learned that I had never known God, and that it was not He from whom I was shrinking, but my false concept of Him. It was a great joy to be awakened to know a God of love, who heals and blesses His children, a loving Father-Mother, ever present, and ever ready to help.

I most profoundly thank God for sending us our noble Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, whose writings lead all who will follow her from sense to Soul, and reveal to benighted humanity the promised Comforter, who abides with us forever. I am also thankful for membership in The Mother Church and in a branch church, and for class instruction.

(Mrs.) Emma P. Waterman, Los Angeles, California.

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