I can never be grateful enough for Christian Science; for it came to me at a time when everything seemed dark, and all earthly hopes had fled. Our only child, a little daughter, was given up by two doctors to die of cholera infantum. She had been very ill for a week; and by the tenth day the doctor told us to prepare for the worst, that we would not have any little girl in the morning.
It was at this awful, paralyzing statement that I remembered a promise I had made to a Christian Science friend of mine, months before, that if the time ever came during this child's life when the doctors said there was no hope, I would try Christian Science. This friend was called up over the telephone, told of the conditions, and asked if she would come down. Her answer was that if the child's father (she knew I was willing) would allow her to bring a Christian Science practitioner with her, she would come. I was very happy when the consent of the father was given and I knew the practitioner and friend were on their way. The first question the father asked the practitioner was, "Do you think you can do anything for my little girl?" His answer was, "I don't think it; I know it." Oh, the healing that was in those few words!
The practitioner sat by the bedside of the dear one a long time; and when he left, mountains of fear had been removed. This was between one and two o'clock in the morning. He told us to go to bed and to sleep, that my friend would take care of the child; and this we did,—the first real rest and sleep I had had since the child was taken sick, ten days before. When I awoke at seven o'clock, my first thought was, How could I have ever left my little girl and slept, knowing as I did how ill she had been? I hurried to the room where she was; and I shall never forget the changed look that had come over her. Our fear was all gone, and I knew she was healed. Previously, she had not been allowed enough water to wet her parched lips, and nothing to eat. I resented this, especially not giving her water, for she begged continuously for it till she became too weak; and it made me very happy when I saw my friend put the glass to her lips and let her have all she wanted.
