I was for more than twenty-seven years a semiinvalid, suffering from a complication of diseases, the worst of which finally brought me to the operating-table. Life was indeed a burden. As a result of the operation came a nervous collapse, and finally mental darkness, so that my own could no longer care for me, and I was sent to a sanitarium and placed under the care of a specialist who had been at the head of a state institution for years. Four other doctors had pronounced my case practically hopeless.
A daughter in Denver had been studying Christian Science for about six months, and when she heard of my condition she came at once to my help. As she could not get her father's consent to have me placed in the home of a Scientist, she obtained a practitioner for me and I was given absent treatment. After three weeks her father yielded to her entreaties, and she took me under her own care, although the noted specialist warned her that she was taking a great risk, as he was sure she could not control me. A dear Scientist opened her home to us, and four days later the darkness lifted, the light came. After nights and days of terrible suffering and agony, I wakened to life and love and home and friends!
Up to this time I had not really understood that I was under Christian Science treatment, but now I must decide for myself. When my daughter said, "Now we must study, mother," I hesitated, because I was not sure that it was right or good. "Could anything not good or right have cured you?" asked my dear daughter. That settled it, and we began to study. To my surprise I found that my eyes did not hurt me, and that I was reading without glasses, after having worn them for more than fifteen years. At first I could not read as well, but as I gained in understanding my sight constantly improved. For years I had been unable to do any work without suffering and great weakness, but. now I can work without weariness. All this physical help is, however, as nothing beside the knowledge that I have found God, that I have not sinned away my day of grace; that I am not a lost soul! Slowly but surely I am losing all sense of fear, because the "perfect love" that casts out fear enfolds me.
