We make extracts from a number of letters that one of the prisoners has written to those who are interesting themselves in this work.
"_Editor of The Christian Science Journal_:-At the prison, once a week, there are Christian papers given to the inmates. But none of those papers point out so clearly the fallibility of the mortal or carnal mind, and the infallibility of the divine Mind, as does the teaching of Christian Science.
"I was strangely blind and stupid. I loved sin, and it seemed as though I never would be able to forsake it. I did everything that would be expected of one entirely ignorant of G.o.d.
"I also had a complication of diseases. I could not begin to describe the medicines I have taken.
"I no longer look for material treatment, but humbly seek for the divine a.s.sistance of Jesus, through the way Christian Science has taught me. I am, indeed, an altered man. I now have no more doubt of the way of salvation than I have of the way to the prison workshop.
"I am very grateful to the students of Christian Science, for the interest they have taken in me and my fellow-prisoners. Their letters and books have been of great profit, and in accordance with their wish I have done what I could for the others.
"I gave the _Journal_ to every man who would accept it, and related my experience to those who would listen. I told them they need go no farther than myself to see what the demonstration was; for not only have my eyes been healed, but many other ailments have disappeared.
"Some of the fellows told me I was becoming religiously insane, but acting upon your advice, I did not stop to argue with those opposed; and I am glad to be able to tell you that those who expressed interest were more than those who opposed.
"The chaplain told me I could keep Science and Health until I got through with it. I never should get through with that book, but, as others were waiting for it, I did not like to keep it too long. G.o.d bless the author!
"I need have no fear after leaving here; I feel that I can make an honest living. I can honestly add, that my bad reputation is largely due to my lack of education. What little I do know, I learned here and in the House of Correction. I tell you this, for I feel that I must be honest with the kind friends who have done so much for me.
"Providing I should not be paroled, I shall remain here until the 24th of next December. G.o.d bless you all.-J. C."
I am glad to tell how I was healed. Beliefs of consumption, dyspepsia, neuralgia, piles, tobacco, and bad language held me in bondage for many years. Doctors that were consulted did nothing to relieve me, and I constantly grew worse. Nearly two years ago a lady told me that if I would read a book called "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" I would be healed. I told her I would "go into it for all it is worth," and I have found that it is worth all. I got the book, and read day and night. I saw that it must be true, and believed that what I could not then understand would be made clear later.
After some days" reading I was affected with drowsiness, followed by vomiting. This lasted several hours; when I fell into a sleep, and awoke healed. The good I have received, and that I have been able to do in healing others, has all come from Science and Health. I received some instructions from teachers; but they did me more harm than good: I asked for bread, but they gave me a stone. I held to what I could understand of Science and Health; and the truth does not forsake me, but enables me to heal others.
Last February, I was called to treat a child that the M. D."s said was dying from lung fever; after the third treatment the child got up and ran about, completely healed. Another child was brought to me, with rupture; after the second treatment the truss was thrown away. An aged lady was healed of heart disease and chills, in one treatment. These cases brought me many more, that were also healed.
The husband of a lady in the State Lunatic Asylum asked me to treat her; she had been for two years and a half in the asylum, and though taken home in this time once or twice, she had had to be taken back. After two weeks of absent treatment, the husband visited her, and the doctor reported great improvement during the preceding two weeks. At the end of another two weeks I went with the husband to the asylum, and the doctor told us that she was well enough to go home. The husband asked the doctor how it was that she had improved so rapidly, and he said that he could not account for it. We said nothing about the Christian Science treatment, and took the lady home. This was about a year ago, and she has remained perfectly well.
Many cases as striking as this can be referred to in this town, as evidence that Truth is the healer of sickness as well as of sin.-J. B. H.
No. 1. A lady friend, who was found to have a severe attack of dysentery, was a.s.sured that such attacks could be cured without medicine, and advised to take no more. She was more than astonished at the result; for in less than an hour all pain and other symptoms of the trouble ceased, and she felt perfectly well the next day.
No. 2. While she was visiting relatives in the country, an infant of theirs was attacked severely with croup, and appeared to be on the verge of suffocation, giving its parents much alarm. The infant was taken in the arms of the lady, in thirty minutes was completely relieved, went to sleep, and awoke in good health the next morning.
No. 3. The mother of this child was subsequently attacked with a scrofulous swelling on the neck, just under the ear, which was very painful and disfiguring; the side of the face, also, being badly swollen.
It was feared that this would develop into and undergo the usual phenomenon of abscess, as other similar swellings had done previously. She had great faith in the metaphysical treatment, because of the experience which she had had with her baby, and wrote a letter describing her case.
This was immediately answered, and absent treatment was begun. In twenty-four hours after receipt of the letter, to the astonishment of herself and family, the tumor had entirely disappeared: there was not a trace of it left; although the day before it was fully as large as a hen"s egg; red, and tender to the touch.
These instances are only a few of the many cures which have been performed in this way, and they are mentioned simply to show what good work may be done by any earnest, conscientious person who has gained by reading my works the proper understanding of the Principle of Christian Science.
What a wonderful field for enlightenment and profit lies open to those who seek after Truth. Alas, that the feet of so few enter it!
_Rev. M. B. G. Eddy_:-Will you kindly spare me a few moments for the perusal of these lines from a stranger,- one who feels under a debt of grat.i.tude to you,-for, through the divine Science brought to light by you, I have been "made whole." I have been cured of a malignant cancer since I began to study Christian Science, and have _demonstrated the truth_ of it in a number of cases. I have only studied your good books, having been _unable_ to take the lectures for want of means. I dare not think of these, for there is no prospect that I shall be in a position to take the course at all. I do not allow myself to complain, but cheerfully take up my books and study, and feel thankful for this light.
M. E. W., Canon City, Col.
_Dear Madam_:-May I thank you for your book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," and say how much I owe to it-almost my very life-at a most critical time....
If it were not for the heat of your American summers (I had nine attacks of dysentery in the last one), and the expense, I should dearly like to learn from you personally; but I must forego this,-at any rate, for the present. If you would write me what the cost would be for a course on divine metaphysics, I would try to manage it later on.
Meanwhile, I should be grateful if you would refer me to any one in this country who is interested similarly, for I get more kicks than halfpence in discussing it.
Your obliged friend,
(REV.) I. G. W. BISHOP, Bovington Vicarage, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, England
Extract from a letter to Rev. M. B. G. Eddy
A gentleman here had hired all the most skilled doctors in the United States-nothing helped him. He was a ghost to look upon. I told him just to read my copies of your books. I talked to him, told him what he could do for himself if he but tried. He laughed at me. I was willing he should laugh, for it was very unusual for him to do this. He had your books two months, and last Sunday he returned them. I wish you could see him: _he is well_. He is happy, and told me he was going to write to you for the books for himself this week.-E. E. B.
_Dear Madam_:-I have been a sickly person all my life, until a few months ago, and was confined to my bed every little while. It was during one of many attacks that your book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," was handed me. I read it only a very short time, when I arose, well, went out into the kitchen, prepared a large dinner, and ate heartily of it.
I have been up and well ever since,-a marvel to my friends and family, and sometimes they can hardly believe it is I; and feeling so grateful, I must tell you of it. I wish everybody in the world would read your book, for all would be benefited by it.
Gratefully yours, ANNA M. SMITH
_Dear Madam_:-About seven years ago I was compelled to go to an oculist and have an operation performed upon my eyes. He fitted me with gla.s.ses, which I wore for a considerable time, and then removed; but the pain and difficulty returned, and I was obliged to go again to the oculist, who advised me never to take my gla.s.ses off again.
I continued wearing them for fully five years longer, until some time in last January, when, upon reading your book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," I again took them off. Since that time, though I have been in the courts reporting, and reading fine notes frequently, I have experienced no difficulty with my eyes.
Very respectfully, William A. Smith, Wilmington, Del.
_Dear Mrs. Eddy_:-We have been studying "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" for a year, and I cannot tell you how much it has done for us; giving us health instead of sickness, and giving us such an understanding of G.o.d as we never had before. Christian Science was our only help two weeks ago, when our baby was born. My husband and myself were alone. I dressed myself the next day; commenced doing my work the third day, and am well and strong. It must be pleasing to you to know how much good your work is doing.
KITTIE BECK, Elmwood, Ca.s.s Co., Neb.
I was a helpless sufferer in August, 1883, and had been so for many years.
The physicians said I had cancer of the uterus. I heard of your book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," bought a copy, began reading it, and a great light seemed to break through the darkness. I cried aloud in joy, "This is what I have been hungering for, these many years!" I studied it closely, and healed myself and several of my friends before I had taken instruction of any teacher.
MRS. S. A. MCMAHON, Wyandotte, Kans.