Article August 16, 1900 Issue

Christian Science in our Home

BY CLEMENS SCHROEDER.

My story is plain and short. Because of its plainness it may appeal to some one who finds himself in a quandary, as I did, and throw a light on his pathway which may enable him to pursue his course in a happier frame of mind.

I was brought up and educated in Germany, leaving the United States at the age of eight years. At the educational institution I imbibed much of the material views and erudition for which the German schools are famous, and the influence exerted by these teachings soon undermined what little religion there was in my make-up. When I returned, ten years later, I was an acknowledged agnostic, having drifted away from my church, the Roman Catholic, as soon as I was beyond the pale of family control. My aim in life was to get as much enjoyment out of it as possible, and my ambition to be considered not a half bad fellow. Money had no attraction; it went as fast as earned, squandered not so much in riotous living as in social enjoyment,—in theatres, concerts, and clubs.

After my marriage discord seemed to start. Business trouble at the very outset of married life, sickness, almost from the first day, discontent and vexations struggle against existing conditions, brought me into a veritable Slough of Despond. Two children born to us manifested the discordant condition of the home, both were weak and sickly, and were not expected to live. Thus matters stood when, as a last resort, I sent my family to Germany, hoping that a year's stay under changed conditions and under the physicians' care would be of permanent benefit. The year passed by,—a long, agonizing year,—the family had improved and gave promise of complete restoration to health. They returned apparently fully restored, and we started on a new life, full of buoyant hope. The drain on my small savings during the long years of sickness had left me high and dry financially, but what mattered money if only health had been regained!

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