I have had many proofs of the healing power of divine Love, both in sorrow and in physical sufferings. I was supposed to be a rather delicate child. Then I grew too quickly, and for years was not allowed to study anything seriously, as my eyes often troubled me so much that hours together had to be spent in a dark room. At the age of twenty-one I was accidentally poisoned. The agony was beyond words, and the pain and attacks of sickness seriously affected my heart. For many months I was on in my back, and for years was subject to attacks of pain round the heart that made me utterly helpless and weak for days. Doctors always warned me never to become overtired or to take violent exercise.
It was possibly a year after first hearing of Christian Science that I was very far from well and was staying at the seaside with some Scientist friends. I tried to hide my suffering, but when climbing a steep bank, suddenly the old pain and weakness were felt. After a sleepless night I asked one of my friends to help me, and almost at once it seemed as if a piece of machinery had clicked back into place. I went to sleep, and had a good breakfast when I awoke. That afternoon we went for a picnic, walking perhaps two miles, and two days later I had a long climb and walk of quite ten miles. I have not had a return of that trouble in five years.
Since the age of eleven perhaps my greatest suffering had been intense pain in the head and eyes, which continued from twenty-four to thirty hours without cessation. I speak gratefully of the kindness and attention of many doctors in different parts of Australia and Tasmania, but the relief was only temporary and the drugs given me weakened the heart action. About six years ago I went to Melbourne, where I met a Christian Scientist who, hearing how much I suffered, offered me some literature to read.
