My first healing in Christian Science was that of a goiter of long standing and was effected entirely by my reading "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. I was wholly unfamiliar with Christian Science until an acquaintance gave me some of the literature and told me of a healing she had received. I secured a copy of Science and Health and read almost constantly. Although I did not understand much that I read, I felt that it contained the truth I had been searching for. In a few months the goiter was dissolved, and I was free. However, I did not fully take my stand for Principle until some time after this wonderful experience.
In the year 1934 I experienced a severe nervous breakdown, accompanied by melancholia. I began to fear insanity and took strong sedatives under the direction of physicians. I could not sleep for nights at a time. Finally, in the fall of that year I tried to take my life. This led to my being placed in a state hospital. Here I rapidly lost weight; I went from one hundred and forty pounds down to ninety pounds. In addition, I grew emaciated and so weak that my family were unable to visit me. The doctors informed them that I was past help and could live only a short time. I felt cut off from God and all good, but I realize now that the Christ, Truth, was there all the time.
Finally, after the doctors had ceased giving me medication, I turned wholly to the Father and cried (Luke 22:42), "Not my will, but thine, be done." I meant it with all my being. My daughter, who was attending the Christian Science Sunday School, had prayerful metaphysical work done for me; and my Christian Science friends never ceased to expect my recovery.
