My father had very poor health, and the belief in heredity was held over me from my birth. The physician who attended me said I had no vitality, that every organ was weak, that I must have fresh air and sunshine, if I was to be kept alive. While this advice was carried out, I could never attend school regularly or play like other children. I was always frail and sickly, and the fear of consumption was constantly held over me. Twelve years ago I had pneumonia for the second time, which left me in a weak state, also suffering mentally from the loss of both parents; then came a new trouble which the physician pronounced a tumor. This was treated nearly a year, and was followed by nervous prostration and terrible headaches. In the spring of 1894 I was sick in bed five weeks with a nurse in constant attendance. After various experiments I was taken to an eye specialist, who said that my eyes caused the headaches; that I must wear glasses constantly for two years.
In the winter of 1895 I became terribly discouraged. I asked the doctor if he could not help me, and he replied. "You will never be well, there is nothing that can cure you, but I will patch you up, and keep you as long as I can." I was suffering from extreme nervousness and constant pain. I could not use my arms to sew, neither could I lean back in a chair. I had given up hope of ever being any better, thinking I must die of consumption, when a cousin wrote me to try Christian Science. I knew nothing of it, only having heard it spoken of. We called on one of Mrs. Eddy's students, and after the second treatment I felt more quiet and rested better nights. The third time I saw her I left off my glasses, and I did not have headaches either. I was slow to give up my old thoughts, but as fast as I did so I gained, until I was well,—all the old troubles had disappeared entirely. I am well and strong, and feel that I never really knew what happiness was until I came into Christian Science. I am now able to help myself and others.
For all this words fail to express the gratitude I feel to God, and to Mrs. Eddy, who has shown us the way.
