I have great cause to be grateful for Christian Science. Twice in my experience has it outstandingly shown me that life cannot be destroyed. Several years ago, when I was an undergraduate at a university, I was suddenly stricken with a streptococcic infection of the throat which the attending physician considered extremely dangerous. In accordance with university rules, I had to submit to a medical examination and be removed to the university infirmary. Several other students became infected with the same disease and accepted every medical attention. One of these students passed on, and it was many weeks before the others were sufficiently recovered to return to their activities. With the aid of a Christian Science practitioner and by confidently trusting in God's law of harmony and immortality for man, I was able to leave the infirmary in one week and resume my activities.
The second instance occurred one winter recently when a complication of diseases—pneumonia in its most malignant form, an alarming throat infection, pleurisy, and an organic trouble for which a physician had said that sooner or later I should have to have an operation—manifested themselves in rapid succession, causing me to pass from relapse to relapse. Prior to this deluge of the dictates of mortal mind, I had, during the latter part of my university days, fallen under the mesmeric influence of agnosticism. This mental state gradually led me to suicidal thoughts. I found that a desire for mere intellectualism and materialism was leading me into the paths of mental depression and chaotic reasoning. Now a time of trouble was at hand, and I was confused, unhappy, and deeply disturbed. Doubt filled my consciousness as to the power of God —if there was one—or mortal man to dispel these diseases. Then, like the prodigal son, I came to myself and realized that if I was to banish the dark shadows of sickness and mental despair, I must place radical reliance on God and God alone. I must clear my consciousness of thoughts of fear, pain, desolation, doubt, confusion, and indifference, and fill it with thoughts of love, courage, hope, confidence, joy, and gratitude. Our Leader's statements in Science and Health (pp. 471, 427), "Science knows no lapse from nor return to harmony," and, "Nothing can interfere with the harmony of being nor end the existence of man in Science," stood out as glorious truths throughout the long, dark hours. Even though I seemed to "walk through the valley of the shadow of death," God was beside me, upholding me in infinite tenderness and compassion, and leading me out of the maze of materiality into my rightful heritage of health, happiness, and peace. I understood for the first time, in a measure, the meaning of the word "gratitude." I learned to be grateful for the many wonderful gifts that had come into my life —the gift of Sunday school training, constant protection in all my activities as a result of some knowledge of this Science, unselfish and loving care by earthly parents, and, greatest of all, the gift of being a child of God. As these truths were somewhat realized, these diseases vanished one by one into nothingness.
Then the medical belief of aftereffects presented itself. Insomnia, impaired hearing, lack of strength to resume my former activities, and a weakened heart were strongly suggested to me. Several lines from an article published in the Sentinel of April 28, 1934, were of inestimable help to me. The article stated that we have the right to pass through any ordeal, however trying, without having to carry with us indefinitely the outward or the unseen evidence of that experience. It was not God's will that we should bear the marks of it as we go on our way. "We should come forth purified and glorified with something shining in our eyes which was not there before." As I kept my thoughts filled with good the so-called aftereffects melted away and left instead a great sense of gratitude, peace, and spiritual uplifting.
