I have gone through what is considered a marvelous and wonderful experience by those who know me. There came a time, rather quickly and unexpectedly, when all joy, pleasure, position, health, home, family, and happiness were crowded out of my life. I spent about eight months in bed. For a long time I could not walk across the room without assistance. The great trouble was in being unable to raise my feet high enough to keep from stumbling. For a year and a half I was troubled with insomnia; and the opiates that were given me lost their effect. I could eat scarcely anything, and the only thoughts I entertained most of the time were those of self-destruction. For two years I was unable to do work of any kind; for nearly three years I was not able to read anything. I tried every known material remedy and help that was suggested, but without results.
At first I was not faithful and obedient to the demands of Christian Science practice, and would turn to material means, only to be driven back to Christian Science treatments. I had to call on a practitioner as often as four or five times a day. At last it dawned upon me that I must prove my fidelity to Christian Science or pass on. From that time I got results, although my healing came slowly; and I am surely grateful for that, as otherwise I should not have gained the understanding I now have. I had to study diligently to get the letter of Science and the spirit of it as well.
I always received so much help from our beloved Leader's Communion Hymn; every verse has meant much to me, especially the third one, which says (Poems, p. 75):—
