When Christian Science was first presented to me in 1915 by my fiancee, my thought was so completely dominated by orthodox religious and medical beliefs that I was not receptive. Fortunately, because of the regard I had for the girl I later married, I began to occasionally attend services in a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, read some of the periodicals, and attend Christian Science lectures. However, it was not until early in 1919 that I became humble enough to set aside my opposition to Truth and accept wholeheartedly the divine revelation set forth in Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy. I found, as have others, that "'man's extremity is God's opportunity'" (ibid., p. 266).
Shortly before the armistice in November, 1918, while in military service in France and after a period of almost continuous duty and exposure, I collapsed, and was carried into a hospital. I then remained a patient in military hospitals for over three months. During that period I came under the care of several Army physicians and nurses, who spoke of my condition as hopeless. Finally a doctor told me, "The slightest work would kill you."
When I had first entered the Army in 1917, the branch church I had been attending gave me a small Bible and a vest pocket edition of Science and Health. I had kept these books with me and had read occasionally. Now, for the first time, I began to read with an open mind. I decided that since the doctors and nurses had been unable to help me, I would earnestly try to understand Christian Science and be obedient to its teachings. This marked the turning point. Shortly thereafter I was reexamined by two Army doctors and was medically classified as D, substantially meaning "totally unfit for any kind of duty." I was ordered transferred to a hospital in the United States, where I arrived after a few weeks.
