When Christian Science was first presented...

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.