Fifteen years ago, while staying in South Gippsland with some friends, I was suddenly taken ill during the night. Although a doctor was called in, it was a week before I had recovered sufficiently to undertake the journey home, and considerable time elapsed before I could say that I was myself again. In the years that followed, this illness attacked me at intervals, the attacks becoming worse and the intervals shorter. I had three doctors attending me regularly at different times, and in addition the advice of a specialist. Sometimes it was necessary to call in a trained nurse, as the attacks usually lasted from three to five weeks and recovery was slow. This illness assumed different forms, the symptoms pointing to one thing at one time and to quite another the next time, so that it was hard to give it a name. It had one distinguishing feature, however, that never failed to make its appearance, —sudden collapse. After watching carefully for some time, the doctor who last attended me pronounced it a case of nervous breakdown. He gave me a strong tonic for the heart, but finding it did not agree with me he lessened the doses and finally agreed to my dropping it altogether, advising complete rest.
About this time a friend lent us the book "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. I had for years longed for a satisfying religion and knew I had at last found it. I read day and night and was healed of two internal troubles while reading. My heart overflowed with joy at having found the "living water."
I did not think I would ever be ill again, but later the old trouble attacked me in a very alarming form. I at once communicated with a Christian Science practitioner, and with her loving help in ten days I was well, having all the time gone about my household duties and even carried out my social engagements. This would have been impossible had I not had verses from the Bible to give me strength. The healing thoughts from Science and Health were to my bruised and suffering sense like morning dewdrops to a drooping plant. Several years have now elapsed and I am in perfect health. It was great happiness to me to learn through this healing of the life-giving power of Spirit.
