From the time I was eleven years old I suffered from muscular and articular rheumatism, as well as sciatica in its worst form. I was often in bed for months at a time. My parents took me from physician to physician, even to the best specialists. I traveled from one health resort to another, and underwent one kind of treatment after another; and I was forced to take so many drugs that from time to time I lost my sense of smell and hearing. One foot had to be operated on, after which I was much worse; and for a long time I was obliged to walk, at first in a plaster of Paris cast, and afterwards with a steel shoe. I was also obliged to wear orthopedic shoes. Besides this I was massaged. But none of these remedies relieved me, and my sufferings always broke out again with renewed force. The fear of becoming completely paralyzed made me unhappy and bitter. At first I fled to God on my thorny path, and I asked again and again: "Why, my God, this suffering? Why must I suffer so much pain?" I wanted to understand God, but brooded over my misfortune. Twenty-two years later I received an answer to my questions, for I was ready then to hear God's voice.
Some years before I heard of Christian Science I had become a vegetarian, and took no medicine for five years; but even this way of living did not help me. At a time when I was suffering from a less serious attack, I met a business friend at my parents' home. This friend had heard of my suffering. He told me of Christian Science. My sister, who was also a sufferer, and I went at once to a Christian Science Wednesday evening testimony meeting, and were attracted by this wonderful teaching. At first I was overjoyed at having found the right way to peace and health, even if this way was difficult for me to understand. But I wanted to make progress and to know more about God, who did not create sorrow and distress. I had many beautiful experiences; but in spite of treatment kindly given my complaint broke out again and again with its old force. I had to learn to practice obedience, gratitude, patience, and above all, forbearance towards every one; and when I thought I had laid aside much that concealed the true, ideal man, the time came when I was forced to prove what I had learned. My illness suddenly broke forth more violently than ever before. I was half delirious with pain and could not think. But Christian Science treatment was so kindly and patiently given that for this alone I cannot be grateful enough to the practitioner. Reliance on the infinite goodness of our Father-Mother God helped me to make more and more progress. I learned to correct my false thinking and to look away from the body to Spirit. Fear and suffering therefore ultimately disappeared, and I was healed. To-day I feel as if I were soaring, not walking—so light and winged my body seems to be.
Words are inadequate to express my gratitude for the deliverance from incessant pain. My one endeavor is to practice active gratitude, and with a joyful heart to grow more rapidly in the understanding of Truth. I am sincerely grateful for the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy; for the Bible and the Herolds; and to all the dear people who have so patiently helped me. Patience must prevail to the end!—Berlin, Germany.
