Christian Science was brought into our home many years ago by my elder sister. I was a mere schoolgirl, but the statement that disease was mental made a deep impression on me at that time, and I have never since doubted that Christian Science is the absolute truth. However, I was mentally lazy, and I have had to pass through deep waters many times before getting down to earnest study. On page 444 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, says, "In some way, sooner or later, all must rise superior to materiality, and suffering is oft the divine agent in this elevation." And on page 362 of "Miscellaneous Writings" she says, "Truth is won through Science or suffering: O vain mortals! which shall it be?"
About nine years ago I was healed of a serious intestinal trouble in the form of a complete stoppage. A Christian Science practitioner was working faithfully, and about the fifth morning, after passing an entirely sleepless night, I turned to this passage from the Bible, "Be not afraid, only believe," and I added these words to it: "God is the only power." I turned unreservedly to God, away from all else, and repeated the words, "'Be not afraid, only believe' that God is the only power," over and over again for more than an hour, then dropped off to sleep. Though the complete healing was slow, this was the turning point.
A year or so later, while in California, I was on the verge of a nervous collapse. I slept very little, some nights not at all, and had night sweats. Again I found myself on the verge of giving up. The practitioner came to see me, and took me to her own apartment. The struggle seemed a hard one, but the practitioner never wavered; her firm stand was encouraging to me, and I was soon on my way to recovery, although the complete healing was slow. I studied and applied the truth more than ever before, and am truly grateful for the better understanding gained through these experiences.
