Up to the age of seven I had never attended school. Doctors had told my parents I would not live to reach young womanhood. But if by chance I should, they said I would never be able to go out into the world and earn my own living because I would always be dependent on the care of others.
At the time, I was suffering from a heart complaint, stomach trouble, and nervous disorders. Nothing seemed to function properly. The kind doctors did all they could to help, but none could cure me. All I would eat was bread and jam, and drink cold water. I was very thin and was made to lie down most of the day.
Mother and Father were devoted members of a Protestant church and keen students of the Bible. Father had been a local preacher for many years, and Mother had been a Sunday School teacher. Many a time Mother would take me on her knees and read me Bible stories, which I loved. I was told that I used to pray to God to heal me so I wouldn't have to take medicine and have medical treatment. At that time we had a large, full medicine chest in our home, and the doctor seemed always to be at our door.
