Four years ago, I heard of Christian Science for the first time. I accepted it after being healed in a single treatment of pleurisy from which I had suffered day and night for about a year. I took up the study sincerely; but what I then mistook for right zeal was only an exaggerated enthusiasm. I had not grasped the healing method; and after six months, my circumstances having altered, I allowed myself to become entirely absorbed by the thousand and one material occupations which I thought indispensable for my well-being. I stopped reading the Christian Science literature, and later gave up even going to the services. I did not realize that error was growing in my consciousness; and day by day I accepted thoughts of overwork, fatigue, fear of being unable to keep my situation, and so on. So it came about that by January, 1922, 1 was completely laid up.
The doctor who had been attending me for several months was called, and to mortal sense I had not a single organ in a healthy state. He found that I had diseased lungs, stomach, liver, and bowels, and was extremely weak as well. He said I must stay in bed for a month, and then go to live in the country for at least a year, adding that it would be impossible for me to live in a large town in the future. On the other hand, he told one of my friends that I had hardly more than a fortnight to live. Wavering between Truth and error, I tried from time to time to reread some passages from the Bible or from "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, but my weakness seemed such that I was unable to remember a complete sentence. After eight months spent in the country and at the sea in an empty search for material comfort, I decided to return to Paris in spite of my bad state of health. I did not go to see my doctor, fearing he would blame me. After about a week I had to stay in bed, suffering very much from a serious attack of bronchitis.
After two days of pain, having refused till then to see my doctor, a last hope of life took possession of me, and I began to feel remorseful. The first grain of the Spirit had begun to unfold, and realizing my ingratitude for my previous healing, I remembered these words quoted in Science and Health (p. 266): "Man's extremity is God's opportunity." I immediately asked to have a practitioner sent for. My request was complied with, and after the first treatment I felt relieved; the second day, I got up for a little while; the fourth, I was able to go to the Sunday morning service, doing my best to understand the teachings of Christian Science. I had help from the practitioner for several weeks, and can state that after a short time, having taken up my daily occupations again, my strength had returned, and the mental depression, bordering on neurasthenia, had entirely left me. I was happy and in good health; and one could scarcely credit the change for the better in my physique and mentality. I had mental struggles at that time which would have seemed insurmountable to me without the help of Christian Science. For a year and a half now I have been in perfect health, and have not had to be absent from my work on account of illness.
