When the meeting was held for the examination of candidates for membership, I was of course present.  The pastor was an old-school expounder of the strictest Presbyterian doctrines.  He was apparently as eager to have unbelievers in these dogmas lost, as he was to have elect believers converted and rescued from perdition; for both salvation and condemnation depended, according to his views, upon the good pleasure of infinite Love.  However, I was ready for his doleful questions, which I answered without a tremor, declaring that never could I unite with the church, if assent to this doctrine was essential thereto.

Distinctly do I recall what followed.  I stoutly maintained that I was willing to trust God, and take my chance of spiritual safety with my brothers and sisters,—­not one of whom had then made any profession of religion,—­even if my creedal doubts left me outside the doors.  The minister then wished me to tell him when I had experienced a change of heart; but tearfully I had to respond that I could not designate any precise time.  Nevertheless he persisted in the assertion that I had been truly regenerated, and asked me to say how I felt when the new light dawned within me.  I replied that I could only answer him in the words of the Psalmist:  “Search me, O God, and know my heart:  try me, and know my thoughts:  and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

This was so earnestly said, that even the oldest church-members wept.  After the meeting was over they came and kissed me.  To the astonishment of many, the good clergyman’s heart also melted, and he received me into their communion, and my protest along with me.  My connection with this religious body was retained till I founded a church of my own, built on the basis of Christian Science, “Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone.”

In confidence of faith, I could say in David’s words, “I will go in the strength of the Lord God:  I will make mention of Thy righteousness, even of Thine only.  O God, Thou hast taught me from my youth:  and hitherto have I declared Thy wondrous works.” (Psalms lxxi. 16, 17.)

In the year 1878 I was called to preach in Boston at the Baptist Tabernacle of Rev. Daniel C. Eddy, D.D.,—­by the pastor of this church.  I accepted the invitation and commenced work.

The congregation so increased in number the pews were not sufficient to seat the audience and benches were used in the aisles.  At the close of my engagement we parted in Christian fellowship, if not in full unity of doctrine.

Our last vestry meeting was made memorable by eloquent addresses from persons who feelingly testified to having been healed through my preaching.  Among other diseases cured they specified cancers.  The cases described had been treated and given over by physicians of the popular schools of medicine, but I had not heard of these cases till the persons who divulged their secret joy were healed.  A prominent churchman agreeably informed the congregation that many others present had been healed under my preaching, but were too timid to testify in public.