Christian Science was first presented to me by a dear friend when I was worried and unhappy. At the time I was running a business in New York City, and we were acquiring many of the world's goods—a beautiful home, an automobile, clothes, and a bank account—things which then appeared important. I had not heard of Christian Science up to that period, and to take the time to read a book seemed absurd to me. I had time to read only the daily newspaper headlines.

Shortly after this I was stricken with an attack of an organic trouble which had occurred many times before. This time the doctor said: "There is nothing that will help you except an operation. In fact, you will never know another well day unless you have those organs removed." In desperation I consented, praying to God to help me, as I was accustomed to do. We learned, however, there would not be a vacant bed in the hospital for two weeks. This seemed an answer to my prayer.

After my family and I had talked things over it was decided that I should take a vacation trip to California. While I was returning from this trip, Christian Science was again presented to me by a fellow traveler, who said: "What you need is Christian Science. It will show you how to think."

I arrived home in a very nervous condition, still unable to understand why my life should be so unhappy, and went to a Christian Science Reading Room, where I purchased "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. I did little else for two days and most of the night except read this book. The calm and joy and peace which came over me are indescribable. Here were the answers to my many questions of past years. I was truly "born again." and so completely healed of the organic trouble that I forgot about it until reminded by a member of the family. I became strong instantaneously, and with this renewed strength came the great desire to know something of this wonderful religion.

Many changes began to take place. The needed courage was supplied with the help of a Christian Science practitioner, and I returned alone to California. Here I began the earnest study of the Lesson-Sermons from the Christian Science Quarterly, with the Bible and Science and Health.

As I studied the verse from Matthew. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you," it came to me very clearly that I should work not for money, but rather to know more about God. I have been very grateful for this unfoldment, for it gave me courage to change my business methods, and to put God first in every way. With the help of a practitioner I found employment, starting with a smaller wage than I had paid any of my employees, but I was grateful to be free and happy.

After a few years, in which I had many proofs that Christian Science meets all our needs, I started in business again. This was at the time of the so-called depression. The business prospered with many proofs of God's presence.

Six months later my hands became infected so that I could not use them. This meant hiring extra help, which the business did not warrant. It was my first big test. Could I trust God? With the constant help of a practitioner I was sustained and protected, even from shop closure and an experience involving dishonesty on the part of an employee. The dishonesty was uncovered, my obligations to the landlord were met from unexpected sources, and I was completely healed. This healing took about three months, in which many fears were uncovered and corrected. I am grateful for the many lessons learned during this time. It showed me clearly that to stand with Christian Science means to be willing and ready for self-correction. The business immediately went on a paying basis again and continued to grow and prosper.

One very busy day, as I was working, a great sense of weakness came over me. A sentence from the current Lesson-Sermon came to me, "The joy of the Lord is your strength." I held to this statement, as I continued to work. Suddenly I realized that I had not been expressing so much joy as usual; then I started enumerating what I had to be grateful for. In just a few moments all sense of weakness passed. I recovered my strength and was also healed of a belief of age, which had been suggesting to me for some time that I was unfit for work. This argument has never troubled me since.

I am very appreciative of the aid of practitioners and friends who have helped me along the way, for class instruction from a teacher who gave me such a clear concept of God that all sense of false responsibility just rolled off my shoulders, making clear the meaning of Jesus' words, "The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise." I am also grateful for a happy companionship that came to me shortly after receiving class instruction; for the peace and joy which come from putting first things first; for membership in The Mother Church and in a branch church; for the privilege of teaching in the Sunday school, and for other church activities; for the periodicals, especially The Christian Science Monitor, with its clean, clear, world news.

Words cannot express the heartfelt joy of having learned through the study and application of Christian Science how to be grateful to God for Christ Jesus and for our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy. What an example of courage Mrs. Eddy is to us today!— (Mrs.) Grace Coghlan Volland, Los Angeles, California.