⇉ Handshift:Sarah M. SlausonPiqua Ohio. Oct 3 / 85
Circular receivedAs Written:rec'd tonight. Thanks - Am exceedingly desirous of receiving As Written: recieving instructions from you but doubt the expediency of attending next class. Will state my case as briefly as possible & beg you to give your opinion as to the best course of action.
Had nervous exhaustion for several years from anxiety, sorrow, repeated shocks & severe mental strains.
Was just beginning to grow better, when, two & a half years ago, had a fall producing concussion of spine. Am now just beginning, after all these months of invalidism, to lift my own weight up steps et ceteraAs Written:&c. Two weeks ago heard for the first time of the Metaphysical treatment, while in ChicagoEditorial Note: Chicago, Illinois.
Went to Dr ShermanEditorial Note: Bradford Sherman or Roger Sherman (302 Washington Boulevard) but domestic affairs calling me home, I only had three "treatments" from him. Felt the effect at once and became interested in the subject.
He advised me not to study it (except by reading your "Science & Health"Editorial Note: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy) until I had recovered my strength of body & mind - The latter had become morbid & weakened by suffering & confinement - but at the same time have always been able to enjoy & digest solid reading. Upon reading the first volume of your bookEditorial Note: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, I was surprised and delighted to discover that the first principles were already known to me - learned by communion in my solitary hours of suffering, with the great "First Cause" - God has been "leading me by ways I have not known"Isa 42:16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. into Knowledge, Truth and Life.
Your bookEditorial Note: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy conveys me into a realm of thought wholly congenial, and one which I have for a long time striven to make my habitual element.
The Spiritual is to me the only real life. Since I have been with Dr. S.Editorial Note: Bradford Sherman or Roger Sherman and have read upon the subject, my health of body & mind have greatly improved - The question I ask you to help me decide is, had I better wait till farther improved and come later in the season? Limited eyesight - feeble walking powers & perhaps not enough power of continued concentration of thought may be obstacles which would prevent that thoroughness of study I would like to attain - Will you please give me your candid opinion and tell me when other sessions will begin?
Begging you to pardon my long trespass upon your valuable time and hoping for an answer at your earliest convenience,