I think it is high time for me to express through the channels provided by the Christian Science periodicals the gratitude which I owe to the teachings of Christ Jesus and of Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, and which I feel for all that the study of Science has brought to me. It was introduced into our family by my mother when I was a baby and has given me some understanding of God and His laws, of man's relationship to Him, and of the fact that Jesus' works can be repeated today.
When I came from a tropical country to live in Holland for my university study, I started coughing in a severe way. The condition continued year after year, especially during the winters, and people around me used to be disturbed about it. I cannot give the name of the disease, because it was never medically diagnosed. As a pupil in a Christian Science Sunday School, I had learned I need not fear, whatever the circumstance. However, I did not yet understand at the time that although not to fear error is a keynote of Christian Science, it is not all of it and that to destroy error is next in importance.
So year after year the attacks continued, until it became clear to me that I must come to a decision. I had to make my choice and either ask for help in Christian Science or go to a medical doctor. It was natural for me to request the help of a Christian Science practitioner. More difficult was the question of which practitioner I should ask for help. Through prayer I was led to the name of a practitioner who was living on another continent. So I wrote him a letter to ask for treatment.
