In December two years ago I suddenly contracted a disease of the respiratory tract and other organs. I was not able, as in previous simpler cases, to master this error with my own prayer. On the contrary, the condition worsened so much that I was no longer fully conscious, and severe pains kept recurring day and night. Thereupon my wife telephoned a Christian Science practitioner we had known for years, and she started treatment immediately. Trusting in this prayerful support and her healing assurance of God's all-power and care for His children, I improved somewhat. We held fast to the words from Isaiah (41:10): "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
At that time some relatives, one of whom is a woman doctor, visited us. They were surprised to find me ailing, and that we had not called a doctor. The relative examined me right away and in so doing diagnosed double pneumonia. She said I was in great danger, and was of the opinion that I should go to the hospital immediately for care and that I should also have medical injections. I refused both decisively, because I knew I was in good hands through the metaphysical work of the practitioner, and I recognized God as my sole physician.
The next day, without informing me ahead of time, my relative brought with her the head physician of a hospital because she did not want to bear the medical responsibility alone. This doctor made the same diagnosis, but I persisted in refusing medical help. I did not take any of the medication brought to me by the doctor but relied purely and simply on divine help.
