I wish to relate how I was freed from an error, through an experience which transformed my whole life. When a child I was considered very nervous. Once, on account of overexcitement, I was compelled to stay away from school for three months. After I left school two nerve specialists told me that I must not take up a profession or have examinations, because my nervous system was too sensitive to all impressions, and I might suffer most serious consequences. Unfortunately, an aunt who was closely connected with me in my childhood committed suicide; and my father, to whom I was greatly attached, had an equally painful death.
From that time on attacks of melancholy were noticeable in me. They occurred successively at almost regular intervals, lasted several days at a time, and tormented me so much that under the mental pressure I suffered almost physical pain. I could no longer be joyous, so fearful was I of the next attack. When my husband fell in the war, I was forced to take up a profession. Hoping to be freed from this melancholy, I chose work of a social nature, which expressed self-sacrifice and love for humanity, rather than work which would benefit me financially.
When I became interested in Christian Science my first thought was the hope of being free from this sad condition. I turned to a Christian Science practitioner and, still filled with fear and doubt, asked her to treat me; and the error which had tormented me for twelve years disappeared after a single recognition of its nothingness.
