In April, 1908. I was taken sick with what was diagnosed by a physician as typhoid fever, and was removed to a hospital. In about a week it was admitted that the disease was not this fever, and the doctor frankly said he did not know what it was. At that time several swellings appeared on both legs. These swellings were not painful, with the exception of one at the left knee-joint, where the pain was intense and incessant, so that sleep was out of the question. This continued for two weeks, when I asked the doctor if he would not open the knee. He declined to do this himself, but called a surgeon at my request. This surgeon operated on both legs, but the results failed to prove anything as to the nature of the trouble, and doctor and surgeon both admitted that they could not name the disorder.
For a week after the operation the pain continued, and the knee was as large as ever and I could not straighten the leg. Patience and strength being at an end, I asked my brother, whom I knew to be a Christian Scientist, for help. I had always thought of Christian Science as being a good thing, possibly, for nervous trouble, but had scouted the idea of its being anything else. I had not read any of its literature, and in fact knew nothing about it. Everything else having failed, however, I turned to this unknown power and begged for help. It came; and I slept good and sound for the first time in a month. My sister-in-law brought me her copy of Science and Health, the reading of which was a revelation indeed. The pain disappeared, the incisions healed, and I was soon able to leave the hospital. I used crutches for a while; then a cane, but shortly afterward was able to walk as a man should.
Blind fear, and visions of myself walking among men crippled and useless, had driven me to despair, when this blessing came. I wish that every one—sick and well—could understand the peace and comfort and happiness that is the lot of those who believe truly and follow the teachings of Mrs. Eddy.— Frankfort, Ky.
