For the past twenty years I have resided in a small town in a western state; and the later years have been spent among people, serving in various ways. I seemed compelled to turn to such lowly service, as my husband was incapacitated through ill health and could not provide adequate support for us all. It had always been my ambition that our children should receive education that would prepare them for higher callings. I realized that God never intended any of His children to be deprived of their birthright, and though poverty seemed to envelop us, yet I knew it was possible to overcome it. And as I was my husband's helpmeet I felt it my duty to help in this way. My husband protested repeatedly, but I realized that I should be firm; and my perseverance stood me in good stead, for the time came when he was removed from our midst, and I had nine children to be responsible for.
I had always had faith in God, but I had been taught to believe that God expected us to be self-reliant. And instead of casting my burden on the Lord, I felt I must bear it alone. And I proceeded unconsciously to add worry to that burden. Almost every day I worked from ten to fourteen hours at heavy physical labor, and at night I would lie awake thoroughly distressed, afraid lest my family should be insufficiently provided for. My work took me out of my own home; and always as I worked I wondered if things were going right at home, till I finally worried myself sick, and was obliged to give up my work for a while. I had been told by physicians that I should undergo an operation for an organic trouble, and I thought the time had come when I could put it off no longer. I called a friend, and she asked me if I were adverse to Christian Science. I replied that I was adverse to nothing that could do good. So she asked me if she might call a practitioner, a friend of hers, and I consented. After a few days I was able to get up and walk out. A few days later, however, I was stricken with paralysis, as nearly as I can describe it. Again my friend called for help from this practitioner. In the meantime she requested that I should read the ninety-third psalm and some Christian Science literature, which I was glad to do.
I have since learned that through obedience to God's commands we are healed; for which I am very grateful. During this time I learned that the heavy responsibility I had considered mine did not belong to me, but that both it and I belonged to God. And through the understanding which the practitioner had of divine Love I was healed without any material remedies or an operation.
