My gratitude for Christian Science is beyond all words, and I cannot begin to enumerate the blessings actually seen and experienced which have come to me through my study of our Leader's works and the help of practitioners. About fifteen years ago, when a schoolgirl, I had an attack of spinal meningitis of such a serious nature that, in spite of attendance by three eminent physicians, the time came that all hope was abandoned, and but three hours of life were assured me. The nurse and those in attendance were told that dissolution was inevitable, and that owing to the mortified condition of my body burial must take place the following day. Many of my relatives had already arrived for the end, but my mother never gave up. When the aunt of my nurse came to the door asking permission to help me in Christian Science, my mother said, "Try anything." So Christian Science entered that death chamber, although the lady did not see me, as the convulsions were so dreadful, but she was seated near me. The three hours' limit passed and about three o'clock in the morning there was a change. I, who for many days had only been moved with the aid of three people, turned easily on my side and went to sleep. When the attending physician came in the morning his words of inquiry, "When did she die?" were met by, "She lives." He could scarcely believe the evidence of his senses. He took my temperature three times, but found each time a normal condition. The Christian Scientist remained with me three weeks, and I recovered with none of the distressing conditions which this disease is said to leave, if indeed there is recovery,—a rare occurrence.
I was but a young girl and all the family being imbued with the teachings of materiality the healing was looked at by them and by myself as the manifestation of some mysterious power of the human mind,—not divine Mind,—and while we were grateful and always gave Christian Science the credit, still it was gradually forgotten.
About nine years ago I began to be ill more or less frequently. I was very active, and being in stage life I was a hard worker. I was under one physician after another, till finally an operation was performed in hope of relief. This operation brought no relief; on the contrary, I grew worse. I was never without a physician's attendance and never free from pain. Besides serious female trouble, there were complications,—inflammatory rheumatism, constant throat trouble, nervous prostration, constipation, etc. I was finally reduced to a most wretched woman, with no hope.
