"Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need" (Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, p. 494). Divine Love did indeed meet a human need when Christian Science was presented to me. My profession was that of a medical nurse, but for months I had suffered from a nervous breakdown. I was a patient in a hospital and had little hope or desire for recovery. My savings had been exhausted; I had no income; and the thought of suicide constantly haunted me, for it seemed the only solution to my problem.
Divine Love, however, was right there to help me. There was one particular nurse in the ward whom everybody loved because of her joyous nature and loving deeds. One day she told me that her mother had been very ill and that Christian Science had helped her. The nurse said she felt Science would help me, and she asked if she might bring me some literature to read. I consented, and the following day she appeared with a copy of the Christian Science Sentinel and a little pamphlet entitled "God's Law of Adjustment." I started to read, but with little thought of receiving help. Several days went by, and I suddenly realized that I was experiencing less desire to die.
The nurse continued bringing me Christian Science literature, and I kept on reading. Then one day I found my way to the hospital library, where I searched for a book on Christian Science. I found "Miscellaneous Writings" by Mrs. Eddy, which I borrowed and eagerly started to read. I had not gone far when I came to this question on page 52: "If this life is a dream not dispelled, but only changed, by death,—if one gets tired of it, why not commit suicide?" Part of the answer to this question reads (p. 53), "Committing suicide to dodge the question is not working it out." Farther on Mrs. Eddy says, "Not through sin or suicide, but by overcoming temptation and sin, shall we escape the weariness and wickedness of mortal existence, and gain heaven, the harmony of being." This answer was so logical and satisfying that the thought of suicide was completely and permanently dispelled from my consciousness.
