When I was in Sao Paulo in Brazil in 1892, I dislocated my knee. I was laid up in consequence for about six weeks, but really I should have remained quiet somewhat longer. However, as I was anxious to return to the Argentine Republic, where I had been nearly all my life, although contrary to medical advice, I did not wait. Using the limb too soon, made it weak, which rather handicapped me in my profession, civil engineering, and after six years of slight inconvenience from it, I lost patience and consulted a surgeon. He treated the matter lightly, and assured me he would, in three weeks, put me right forever. I was delighted at the prospect and gave myself up at once to undergo an operation under the knife. In four days two operations were performed, and in seventy-nine days I left the hospital with a bent, stiff leg, almost absolutely incapacitated for engineering work; this was in September, 1898. Time went on without any improvement in the limb, causing me most terrible misery, wretchedness, and physical suffering, and doubtless encouraging a liking for drink. In May, 1899, I decided to avail myself of five months' leave of absence, due me and granted by the railroad company I had worked with for five years. I went to England. There I underwent further surgical treatment, and, to a certain extent, improved. I returned to Buenos Ayres, Argentine Republic, in October of the same year, to resume my duties; but being still too lame, and having the irresistible appetite for liquor, was obliged to give up all work at the end of the year.
I could then find nothing to do, and had nothing to live on but the kindness of a family connection, who was more than a friend. I was daily becoming more low-more spirited and despondent, when in March, 1900. I received a very kind letter from a Christian Scientist in Buffalo, N. Y., who had heard of me and my troubles through a kind mutual friend in England, advising me to try Christian Science as a certain cure. Knowing hardly anything about Christian Science and thinking less of it, I went on living in hope of getting work, until June, when I decided to come here to try this new treatment, as it might put me in a sufficiently good condition, physically, to enable me to do work of some sort, I little cared what. I landed in New York almost penniless, not knowing a soul, and in the last stage of despondency—almost desperate. My friend in Buffalo, on hearing of my state, wrote telling me to go to the Christian Science reading rooms of First Church of Christ, Scientist. God had stretched out His hand to save me and I took it. I visited the rooms, the most delightful place I had ever known and filled with God's own good, kind, loving children. After introducing myself and being most kindly received and made welcome, I told my sad story, which was patiently heard by two of the lady healers, one of whom gave me treatment, awakening me so gently, that I began to see light and was lifted, as it were, out of a hell upon earth,—I could walk better, did not want a drink, and was happy, a state I had not known since an infant. I went daily to see my healer. I improved wonderfully after each treatment, and after the third, walked three and a half miles without a walking stick, or a splint that I had worn for over a year, feeling no ill effect after it, and a week or so later I walked six and a half miles with ease. After that third treatment I had no inclination to drink, nor have I had any desire for drink since. For many years I had been a most inveterate smoker, but on reading in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," that the use of tobacco was not in harmony with Christian Science, I no longer cared for smoking. I had used glasses for four years to read or work with, and have had no use for them since the third treatment. In three weeks I obtained the good position I am now in. "My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped." The gratitude I feel to God, and to those who have been His avenues for all that has been done for me, is beyond all words. My fervent prayer is that I may be given strength and power to do for others as I have been as I have been done by.
New York, N. Y.
