Permit me "as a friend in Christian ScienceAs Written:C.S. to write these few lines to you to state the bitter experience I have passed through, I will commence by saying how I first got interested in ScienceEditorial Note: Christian Science, My difficulty was & is Deafness from which I have been afflicted for over 20 years. (I am now 30 years of age) and I was also in very feeble health when I was informed of Mrs C. E. Choate of BostonEditorial Note: Boston, Massachusetts and advised to go and see her, I did not make much inquiry in regard to her Method, I cared not what it was. my thought was to be healed, it is four years this month that I heard of her and the following month Sept 10 1881. I visited her, my interest in the ScienceEditorial Note: Christian Science began at once. when I was informed that I could be healed (M.D's had said I could not) my health began to improve and I had all hope that I should soon be restored to hearing but up to this date remain the same, in fact, I cannot hear as quickly or as well as I could before going there, yet my interest in the causeEditorial Note: The cause of Christian Science. has not diminished. I spent nearly $100Editorial Note: $100.00 in 1885 is the equivalent of $2,635.64 in 2019., or over for treatments then felt as if I could not spend any more (That is much more than I had ever spent to any one M.D.)

A year ago last March I took a course of Instructions, of her which I paid $50Editorial Note: $50 in 1885 is the equivalent of $1,317.82 in 2019. with a hope that by helping others I should heal myself of Deafness, I gave up working at my Trade with a thought of doing good, but not meeting with the desired result I felt obliged to resume work at my Trade. (Dressmaking) very much against my wishes, but I was in need of money for Support, being dependent upon myself, I had heard that Mrs C. was expelled from the Association yet I could not think she was in the wrong, she had treated me so well personally. and I thought so much of her, my disappointment in not being restored, was very great. When I have spent so much time and money withoutAs Written:with-out receiving the benefit I had anticipated,

Last Spring I was completely prostrated for about four weeks I was so unhappy, nothing looked beautiful to me. I could not read in the BooksEditorial Note: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy with an interest. I felt a great desire to be taken away from earth, away from the many troubles and trials that I have passed through what possessed such feelings to come over me I know not, unless some Mesmerist had an influence over me, I was first taken with a drowsy sensation and for two or three days it seemed impossible for me to keep awake. I cannot understand it. Well! I have rallied without any human aidAs Written:aide, and am now in the enjoyment of good health once more. I feel that I have been faithful to Mrs C- but she has not been to me, I cared not for the money if it was only well spent, Had I felt as Miss AlcottEditorial Note: Louisa May Alcott did I would have stopped long ago. I hope that my past experience will bring out better results in the future, I have attended the Services at Hawthorne Hall several times during the Spring and am deeply interested in the CauseEditorial Note: The cause of Christian Science.. I have often thought while waiting for Services to begin and watching the many people come in their hand-shaking and social intercourse, how pleasant it is to dwell in Christian Love. and I hope sometimeAs Written:some time to mingle with them, it is my desire to take a course of Instructions at the College, that I may be doing good as others are doing.

I feel that I am quite far advanced in the Glorious Truth but not far enough to heal myself of this belief or error.

I take the Magazine and read the BooksEditorial Note: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy and Bible often trying to put off the old and bring in the newEph 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; Eph 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; Eph 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. , I have tried to interest others, but as I am not healed of Deafness, are not willing to listen to it.

In the midst of all your work can you not find a few spare moments for me? one who is interested in the CauseEditorial Note: The cause of Christian Science.? I do not understand why I have not been helped of this belief. I have often asked myself this question, is it possible that I am not good enough?

I am quite well acquainted with Mrs. J.C. Woodbury and Mrs. D.S. Manley and think they are beautiful women. excuse the length of this Epistle (I hardly knew when to stop) and I hope sometimeAs Written:some time to see you personally, until then believe me as one willing to work for Truth and hope sometimeAs Written:some time to have Christian ScienceAs Written:C.S. affixed to my name.