For several years during a period of economic depression, I was troubled with impaired hearing. This condition developed at a time of great shock and sorrow. I was an earnest student of Christian Science at the time, and I struggled along without asking for treatment from a practitioner for quite a while. All at once an opportunity arose for me to attend the state university. In previous years, before my marriage, I had been a public school teacher, and my intention was to take such courses as were necessary to enable me to meet the present requirements for teachers.
Upon entering the university I took the entrance examinations, including the physical examinations. I passed everything satisfactorily except the hearing test. I was told that my hearing did not come up to the standard required for teachers. I explained to the nurse that I was a Christian Scientist and that I would have Christian Science treatment. She replied that she did not think that my hearing would ever be any better. But that bothered me not at all, so sure did I feel that I was being guided divinely in each forward step that I was taking.
It was then that I asked for the help of a practitioner, whose prayers had helped me in the past. The practitioner reminded me that when I was reading Christian Science literature, I must try to understand what the reading was about. He said, "Don't read all day; but read a while and then put into practice what you have been reading." I continued having treatment for some time until I dismissed the practitioner. Although the effect of his help was evident in my awakened mental alertness, I felt that there was something for me to do for myself.
