Chapter XVIII - Fruitage
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existed in some remote place, still it was impossible to
existed in some remote place, still it was impossible to
connect Him with my present living. My highest
creed, therefore, became, "Do right because it is right
and not for fear of being punished." Then began the
suffering. Sorrow after sorrow followed each other
in rapid succession; for ten long years there was no
rest, the road was indeed long and hard and had no
turning, until finally the one thing that had stood by
me all through the trials, namely, my health, gave
way, and with that went my last hope. But the last
hour of the night had come, the dawn of day was at
hand; a dear friend left Science and Health upon my
piano one day, saying that I would gain much good by
reading it.
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Glad to get away from my own poor thoughts, I
Glad to get away from my own poor thoughts, I
opened the "little book" and began to read. I had
read only a short time when such a wonderful trans-
formation took place! I was renewed; born again.
Mere words cannot tell the story of the mighty up-
lifting that carried me to the very gates of heaven.
When I began to read the book, life was a burden, but
before I had finished reading it the first time, I was doing
all my housework and doing it easily; and since that
glorious day I have been a well woman. My health
is splendid, and I am striving to let my light so shine
that others may be led to the truth. There have been
some mighty struggles with error, and I have learned
that we cannot reach heaven with one long stride or
easily drift inside the gate, but that the "asking" and
the "seeking" and the "knocking" must be earnest and
persistent.
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For a long time I was always looking back to see if
For a long time I was always looking back to see if
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the error had gone, until one day when I realized
the error had gone, until one day when I realized
that to catch a glimpse of what spiritual sense means
I must put corporeal sense behind me. I then set to
work in earnest to find the true way. I opened
Science and Health and these words were before me,
"If God were understood, instead of being merely be-
lieved, this understanding would establish health" (p. 203).
I saw that I must get the right understanding of God!
I closed the book and with head bowed in prayer I
waited with longing intensity for some answer. How
long I waited I do not know, but suddenly, like a won-
derful burst of sunlight after a storm, came clearly
this thought, "Be still, and know that I am God." I
held my breath – deep into my hungering thought
sank the infinite meaning of that "I." All self‑
conceit, egotism, selfishness, everything that constitutes
the mortal "I," sank abashed out of sight. I trod, as
it were, on holy ground. Words are inadequate to con-
vey the fullness of that spiritual uplifting, but others
who have had similar experiences will understand.
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From that hour I have had an intelligent consciousness
From that hour I have had an intelligent consciousness
of the ever-presence of an infinite God who is only good.
– C. B. G., Hudson, Mass.
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A RESTLESS SENSE OF EXISTENCE DESTROYED
A RESTLESS SENSE OF EXISTENCE DESTROYED
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Through reading Science and Health and the illu-
Through reading Science and Health and the illu-
mination which followed, I was healed of ulceration of
the stomach and kindred troubles, a restless sense of
existence, agnosticism, etc. The torture I endured with
the stomach trouble I will not attempt to describe. The
attending physician declared that I could live but a short