In 1913 I was suffering from a nervous breakdown which culminated in epileptic fits. A dear friend told me of Christian Science when I was in despair and felt I should never regain health. It then dawned on me that this illness was an illusion, as God had made all, and therefore only good was real. From that moment my healing began. On going to a practitioner I was told, "You need to read 'Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures' by Mary Baker Eddy and study the Bible Lessons;" and a little treatment was given me. In less than a year I was in robust health.
For three weeks after hearing about Christian Science all the symptoms seemed to become aggravated, but only to disappear later into their native nothingness. Medicine was forsaken and never touched again: I had lost all faith in it. Spectacles which had been worn a year or two for weak sight were discarded, and since that time the finest print has been read with ease. To describe the uplift and joy of that period is impossible; it was indeed a mountain-top experience. It was followed, however, by a walk through the valley. This walk would have been of much shorter duration had I been alert to recognize that darkness and depression are illusions, since the real man is always in the presence of God. However, this experience taught me many lessons in patience, humility, good temper, kindness, service, and love, for which I shall always feel grateful. Various ills have been overcome during the continued study and practice of Christian Science, such as indigestion, influenza, loss of voice, catarrhal colds, and many minor complaints.
Christian Science has been of the greatest value to me in the management and teaching of young children; in helping me to find my right environment, and in discovering the right purpose in life. At a time of difficulty my eyes were directed to a motto with a picture of a spade on one side and a sheaf of corn on the other. The motto was, "Labour and Wait." That was the turning point to success in that particular problem. It became clear to me that the spade work must be done before the sheaves could be gathered in. For this and many other angel messages I am indeed grateful.
