Ever since childhood, I had been searching for the truth of God, man, and the universe in which we live. However, often it is only when one is spiritually ready to receive the truth that Christian Science comes to the rescue; this was so in my case. Some years ago, when all human aid had proved insufficient, I turned to God in humble and desperately earnest prayer. It seemed to my false thinking that my life was completely ruined. I was in a clinic in the north of England, suffering from a nervous breakdown.
Adjoining the clinic was a chapel. I used to go alone there to pray, and not knowing about Christian Science, I prayed, as I well remember: "Dear God, only You can save me from this agony. Help me, and I promise to do Your will and serve You faithfully always."
Quite soon my prayer was answered. "Leave this clinic" came the message to my thought. Although to human sense this seemed to be unwise, I knew this was my chance, and trusting God completely, which was all the more necessary as I could not think clearly and had partially lost my memory, I persuaded the doctors to let me return to my mother.
In a street near my mother's house was a Christian Science Reading Room. Several times I passed and read the texts so intelligently displayed in the window. In spite of my ignorance regarding Christian Science, I knew that this was the way I should follow. Words spoken by one of the other patients in the clinic came back to me. "When I leave here, I'm going to try Christian Science," she said. So I opened the door and went in.
With what marvelous patience and understanding the attendants listened to my tale of woe! I borrowed a copy of Science and Health by our inspired Leader. Since reading had been hardly possible for me, it was with very great delight that I found I could read the book. This was the first clear indication that a great power was at work helping me, and it thrilled me.
Night and day I read this wonderful book; and when I returned it to the Reading Room and bought my own copy, I was helped to get in touch with a practitioner. I began attending the services of a Church of Christ, Scientist, and was introduced to some dear members.
How impressed I was by the deep conviction and naturalness with which these people quoted to me wonderfully encouraging truths from the Scriptures! "We know that all things work together for good to them that love God" (Rom. 8:28) was a quotation from the Bible given me by these good people. From the writings of Mrs. Eddy, they quoted to me (Science and Health, p. 326), "Working and praying with true motives, your Father will open the way." I repeated these two quotations to myself all day, and I learned and repeated the words of two hymns from the Christian Science Hymnal.
Soon after my first visit to the practitioner, I found myself singing joyfully while doing the washing up, which task had formerly been done in deepest gloom. I found simple work with kind people and a month later was well enough to apply for a job as a companion and help to a woman near London; I was chosen from among many applicants. The practitioner who was helping me at that time said I would be led into the promised land, and it was so.
Feeling myself capable once more of facing the seeming strain of living in another country, I returned to France, where I had been living before. Instead of seeming hard, my life has become one of joyful service, and I have seen healings and proofs of God's tender mercy for myself and others.
Words cannot express my gratitude to God for His two witnesses, Christ Jesus and Christian Science. Their teachings really do save one from the misery of false concepts.
Class instruction was an uplifting experience and one which will live always in my thoughts. I am humbly grateful to be a member of The Mother Church and to have the privilege of working as a member of a branch church.
How beautiful it is to see the life-giving waters of Truth slowly seeping into the desert places, helped on by our practitioners and lecturers, the Christian Science literature, and all the earnest, willing workers for our great Cause!— Paris, France.
