I have known of Christian Science since April, 1922. In August of the same year I commenced to read the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. I also began to study the Lesson-Sermons. From November, 1922, until the beginning of July, 1923, I had the joy of attending the Christian Science Sunday School, and since then I have been serving as an usher in the Christian Science church in Dresden. I am very grateful for the spiritual uplift and strength with which Christian Science endows me. Having been brought up in much anxiety, I was always concerned about my life, and formerly was often ill. I could not undertake a walk lasting more than two hours without taking aspirin; walking on stone pavement was especially painful, and I could not endure standing long. All this has been eliminated through the study of Christian Science.
Two experiences which I wish to relate here were especially helpful to me ; for they both revealed to me the allness of divine Love, and one lifted me out of the fear of accidents and their power. When I began to study Christian Science earnestly, and noticed the contrast between its sublimity and what I saw on the street and at home,—the lame, the beggars, and other people, who through ignorance of their capabilities were ill in one way or another,—it seemed to me a very difficult problem to be happy. To this was added the opposition I had to overcome at home, and the constant efforts to divert me from my aim. At this time one of my fingers became so swollen that there seemed little prospect of my playing the piano again. I read the Lesson-Sermons more attentively than ever, and played as well as I could; and while playing I meditated on what I had read. I gained such a clear glimpse of Truth that the swelling on my finger began to decrease, and I could ' play again,—yes, with less fear,—and was able to set to work with greater love.
At another time, when I had admitted the reality of the suffering of some people who were very dear to me, I became very much depressed. The same evening my sisters and I went for a bicycle ride. I struggled with thoughts of fear, and could take only a small part in the conversation. I had such a desire to help those dear ones; yet I was entangled in the same thoughts they were entertaining— thoughts of inability! As I was absent-minded. I was directed into a gully by a slight reaction on the handle bar of the bicycle. I fell upon it and before I could jump off was wounded to such an extent that blood was flowing. My face and hands were not pleasant to look at. But I was free from the fear, then, which had tormented me all day; for I had not lost consciousness and had no pain whatever, and understood belter that God is my Life. I held fast to Truth, and in a short time the wounds closed, though at first scars formed. The next day, when I was ashamed to go out on the street and visit the practitioner whom I wished to consult, it became clear to me that the love and intelligence which I ought to reflect could not change, because they emanate from Truth, and that these know no false sense of shame, because they know only their own perfection. Thus I lost sight of my false selfhood. Five days later all traces of the accident had disappeared. I am very grateful for this experience, for thereby I overcame the fear of outward injuries. I learned to understand better the nothingness of evil and its claims, and the supremacy of divine Mind.
