In deep humility and gratitude I give this testimony, hoping that it will help someone who finds himself in deep waters as I did. My parents took up the study of Christian Science when I was a baby. When, however, as a young girl, I joined the Russian Ballet company I completely neglected my study of Science and copied the glamorous stars who surrounded me in their fatalistic and dramatic outlook on life. I had a very robust constitution and was never in ill-health. For several years I toured with the company in Europe, then went to America to advance my theatrical ambitions.
At the beginning of the recent war my parents pleaded that I come out and join them in South Africa where they then resided, and it was with a deep sense of martyrdom that I did so, sacrificing, as I thought, my career to their wishes. I joined the entertainment unit of the South African Army as ballerina, and in this unit toured the Union Army camps, entertaining the troops. It was while on one of these tours that in some unaccountable way I fell from the window of my compartment on the train while it was in motion. One of the other girls pulled the signal, and the train stopped and then went back for me. There was a doctor in the compartment next to ours, who went down to get me with the guards from the train, as he thought that medical assistance would perhaps be required. I had fallen headfirst on some jagged rocks, and when they reached me I was not breathing. Artificial respiration was administered with little avail. They took me back to the train and then on to the nearest military hospital. In the train the doctor tried to dress the wounds on my face, which was disfigured beyond recognition. When I arrived at the hospital the authorities telephoned my parents that I was at the point of death and not expected to survive twenty-four hours.
My mother immediately got in touch with a Christian Science practitioner, who started to work for me. Long before the twenty-four hours were up I regained consciousness, but was not rational. The doctor said that I had a clot on the brain, and he wanted to put me into the asylum that adjoined the hospital, at least for observation, expressing doubt that I would recover my sanity. However, after further Christian Science treatment was given he was to revise his opinion and discharge me "clothed and in [my] right mind." I was free of all scars and blemishes and, in the language of the Bible story, not so much as "the smell of fire" remained. He and his colleagues marveled at my recovery and the complete absence of any disfigurement. I remember nothing at all of the incident beyond a great sense of peace, as of being home at last after a long and arduous journey. As in the parable of the prodigal, the Father's love found me when I "was yet a great way off," and brought me back to home, heaven. Little by little, my true self and life, which are of God, were revealed to me.
