When I started out one year for the annual meeting of my Christian Science Students Association in England, I was aware that I had a lengthy and involved journey before me. Therefore I had armed myself against strain and impatience by vowing to follow this instruction Mrs. Eddy gives in Science and Health (p. 392): "Stand porter at the door of thought. . . . When the condition is present which you say induces disease, whether it be air, exercise, heredity, contagion, or accident, then perform your office as porter and shut out these unhealthy thoughts and fears."
During the trip there were several inconveniences and delays. Nevertheless I surmounted these well and arrived in London. I planned to stay overnight there and then travel to my destination in the west of England the following morning. But as I contentedly lay down on my hotel bed to rest, suddenly my whole body was seized with convulsions. My first impulse was to telephone my Christian Science teacher and ask for help, but it was physically impossible for me to grasp the receiver. When the convulsions did not abate, I realized that I would have to pray on my own.
My first task was to reject the fear came to mind: "Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation." Then I began to recite the words to Hymn No. 77 from the Christian Science Hymnal. It begins: "God is my strong salvation; / What foe have I to fear?" and ends: "The Lord will give thee peace." Gradually this peace came to pass; I felt completely calm. But the convulsions continued, and I was in considerable pain. In this inner stillness, however, I pondered my situation.
