Los Angeles herald., 1908-05-17

AE4 A'l JGuLn TO I0e IllIe
lAS Christian Science crossed my
lEg path 1t reminds me of the
journey the drop of water takes
as it falls from the sky upon a flower
"a wind springs up and blows 1t to the
ground where it sinks and travels
through the earth to spring of water
that bubbles it up into a brook. The
swift running brook joins the river,
which carries it through forest and
valley to the ocean, and there 1t Gibbs
and flows with the tide until some
warm, bright, sunny day suns ray
beckons it up again to the sky.
So l journeyed through the forests
and valleys of human philosophy and
out on the tide of human doctrines,
blown and buffeted about by specula-
tive theories until 1 was worn, con-
fused and embittered.
Then 1 began to question-as many
have done before me and as many are
doing today-"Is there God after all?"
The Inconsistency of the Bible from
the material viewpoint, the only one 1
knew. led me to close the book and
stow 1t with others equally as useless.
My religion did not satisfy me. 1t
did not help to solve the Biblical puz-
zles, nor was 1t of use to me in Sor-
row, sickness or trouble. None of the
promises of Jesus were fulfilled In it.
1t was mockery to listen to Jesus
teachings and works preached from
the pulpit once week If they were
only meant for this particular time and
place.
attended churches of other denom-
nations, but only found. as in my own,
theoretical and inconsistent God. So
l gave up going to church and took
my children out of Sunday school.
Either there was no God or He was lost
to the present age.
Suggests Christian Science
It was at this time, about six years
ago. that a friend. suffering from mel
ancholia and extreme nervousness, was
discouraged by the failure of materia
medica to help her case and turned to
me for advice. She was steadily grow
ing worse, would 1 help her?
Laughingly 1 suggested Christian
Science becauses there was no physi-
cal disorder and l admitted that nerv-
Gus troubles might be reached by its
treatment The suggestion was imme-
diately frowned upon.
| A short time went by and then sui
cidal tendencies developed which de-
| termined me to act in my own way fol
her good knew that my friend would
| follow any line of action If it were
mapped out for her by myself. / pre-
| IonueQ TO De suddenly interested III
Christian Science and declared my in
tention Of attending a testimonial
meeting the following Wednesday
evening. 1t did not surprise me to
have her decide to go too.
We went and were ushered to a pew
in the front of the church. We sat
there prejudiced to start with and de-
cidedly critical.
There was a strong hope within me
lan hxy
of my Christian Science friends who
might be there. 1t is rather unpleas-
ant, you know, to be forced into a
position of giving those whom you
have ridiculed chance to turn the
tables on yourself. Besides I had fire.
quently and emphatically stated that
considered the subject of Christian
Science too absurd to even investigate.
What did 1 hear at that meeting?
For the first time in my life 1 heard
of a practical religion Of Love, of
Health, of Life.
Hears from Witnesses
I heard witnesses to it's Principle,
for the church was full, although the
evening was cloudy, and many testified
to health and peace of mind, and most
important of all to spiritual and moral
regeneration regained through it's
teaching. / heard in that meeting the
Lost Chord" struck again. The serv-
ice was surprise to me. Its simplicity
and freedom from ritualism and it's
quiet dignity were totally different
from what had expected.
The testimonies touched upon the
practical results of Gods power to free
his children from sin, disease and
death-and l learned that night beyond
all question that that power was here
on earth today as it was two thousand
years ago. with the same tenderness
of touch and compassion of tone.
81 will restore health unto thee, and
I will heal thee of thy wounds-saith
the Lord Jeremiah 81
The belief that Christian Science
could only heal nervous troubles"
was soon destroyed. / met friends be-
longing to the church after the service
whom I had seen in the clutches of
tumor, tuberculosis and heart trouble
who We're perfectly free from suffer-
ing. They simply radiated health and
happiness.
I rememer while talking with them
was decidedly uncomfortable--it seemed
to me, them almost uncanny.' But since
INhave studied the Bible from this new
point of view, which the study of our
textbook, Science and Health, with
Key to the Scriptures, by Mrs. Eddy,
lakes so clear and plain, it seemed
erfectly natural.
Matthew tells us of all the sick peo-
pie that were taken with divers dis
eases" to Jesus and they were healed.
And again he tells us that Jesus healed