Although Christian Science has been in my home since my childhood, it was not until about nine years ago that I gained a true appreciation of this Science. At that time I was suffering from a condition which one physician diagnosed as colitis, anemia, and low blood pressure and which another physician diagnosed as a nervous breakdown. I was bedridden for four months and became so weak that I could scarcely raise my hand to feed myself. Also, I was told that I would have to wear a brace for support for several years.
My mother heard of my illness and came to the West Coast to take care of me. She invited me to try Christian Science, but I refused, feeling that I was beyond all help. Finally, when the impulse to commit suicide obsessed me, in desperation and as a last resort, I decided to try Science. "Man's extremity is God's opportunity." We began to read the Lesson-Sermon in the Christian Science Quarterly each day. At first my eyesight was so poor that I could scarcely see the printed page, but gradually my condition improved.
I recall during those desperate days clinging to this statement, which appeared in the lesson one week (Phil. 4:8): "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Also, this sentence in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy helped me immeasurably (p. 1): "The prayer that reforms the sinner and heals the sick is an absolute faith that all things are possible to God,—a spiritual understanding of Him, an unselfed love."
