Christian Science came into my life like a bright light when it was very dark around me, at a time of great mental and physical distress. My nervous system was completely shattered. I was in this condition when my sister, who visited us, took me with her to our own country, Switzerland. There I found, joyous and full of confidence, my sister-in-law, whom three years previously I had seen in a miserable and despairing condition (my relatives had lost three sons in the prime of life through the grippe). She had become an entirely different person; and she looked so well. She told me of Christian Science, to which she was indebted for the change. Every word was soothing to me; and I said to myself, This is what you have always looked for. When I left Zurich eight weeks later I took with me not only the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, but also the joyous assurance that the mountains of error which had always been before my eyes would now be brought low.
I had not entirely recovered from the effects of two serious operations when the war broke out and my husband was called to the colors. During the war we lost everything we had, and in the revolution all our household goods were stolen. My husband had nothing but the uniform which he wore. To make a long story short, we had to begin at the beginning. My breakdown was, therefore, not due to what we would call imaginary conditions, especially when one takes into account the difficulties with which we had to battle afterwards. Hence my fear of new disaster.
Through the study of the Christian Science textbook and with the help of a dear practitioner, I have become a different person. I have learned to understand the words of the Scriptures, "Casting all your care upon him." The words of Isaiah, "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; . . . they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint," have been proved true in my case; for I attended to the household all alone, whereas before I had always had help. If at times there appear clouds, I can with a confiding heart go to my heavenly Father and say, Help me! and I know a door will again open, even if it is not just the one I had thought must open; it is one that is good for me, and of which I may not even have thought.
