When our youngest daughter was twelve years old, she was stricken with rheumatic fever in its worst form. A Christian Science practitioner was called, and work was taken up. This happened in the fall; by spring she was well enough to go to church. We procured a tutor for her, and in June, with but two months' study, she passed her school examinations with honors. Again we thanked God for Christian Science.
When she returned to school in September, the school authorities ordered her to have a physical checkup. This revealed an extreme cardiac condition, and she was sent home. Later in the fall pneumonia set in. I was well known in the business section of the small town in which we were living, and there was much concern for our daughter's welfare. She became worse and lapsed into a coma. During the night my mother and I steadily clung to the truth that God was her Life and also to the statement from John (8:32), "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." The ninety-first Psalm was also of great help. Early in the morning the child regained consciousness and spoke to me, and our hearts were filled with gratitude. She continued to improve and shortly was able to go to school.
During this experience my mother became almost completely paralyzed. The practitioner was again called, and she worked for her also. Mother gained slowly. I kept my position at the office, trusting my loved ones to God's tender care. I am grateful for the wonderful strength given me at this time, which enabled me to hold my position and to keep watch through the night with my family, proving the truth of Mrs. Eddy's statement in Science and Health (p. 385), "Whatever it is your duty to do, you can do without harm to yourself." My mother has now recovered and is active again.
