[Translated from the German.]
It has long been my desire to express my gratitude for all...
It has long been my desire to express my gratitude for all that Christian Science has brought me. A few years ago, while I was staying in Wiesbaden, a dear friend caused me to become interested in Christian Science through its literature. I had gone through several years of severe illness and had spent many months in Davos, in order to be healed of lung trouble, but my nerves were still very weak. At the very beginning of my investigations God's omnipotence was confirmed to me through a demonstration of the power of divine Truth.
On getting up one morning, I felt very ill, and lay down again with the thought that this probably would mean another period of illness for me; but after being for some time in a state of discouragement, it occurred to me to put into practise the knowledge which had come to me in Christian Science, and to deny the thought of disease. I tried to realize that as man as God's image reflects God, I could only reflect harmony,—that is, no disease; and since there is but one Mind, and harmony alone could proceed from this Mind, I could not in reality be in any inharmonious or diseased state or condition; that it was not God's will His children should be sick. Busying myself with these thoughts, I began to feel better. I got up, dressed, and knelt to pray. Presently a feeling of oneness with God came over me, and I had not yet concluded my prayer when I felt a strong though entirely painless jerk in the left side, just as if something was being torn off. I was so surprised at this that I ceased praying and looked around in astonishment. I felt much better, but it was not until an hour later that I realized that the left lung, which was said to have adhered at the side, had been detached. I gave thanks to God for this proof of Truth's power.
I now began in earnest to read Science and Health, but there seemed to be much that I could not understand, doubts came, and in consequence my health failed perceptibly. A serious condition of the lungs, with severe attacks of coughing, occasioned great suffering. A practitioner in Wiesbaden gave me loving assistance, but scarcely had my condition improved and treatment been discontinued, when a relapse occurred as a result of my attitude of constant doubt. In the fall I went to Kaiserslautern, to my sister, who was distressed about me and urged me to seek medical advice. I withstood her entreaties, however, and went to Kusel, to a friend, upon whose advice I tried various domestic medicines; but instead of improving, my condition grew worse. Still I would not understand, and permitted my friend to talk my condition over with a doctor whom she knew. The effect of the remedy he prescribed was dreadful. At last I began to see that material remedies instead of relieving me aggravated the condition, and I resolved to stop relying upon them.
I again started with the study of Science and Health, and in so doing awakened my friend's interest in the subject. I read to her daily, and Christian Science was the main point of our conversation. Having to explain to her many things in connection with it, I myself came to see them more clearly, and behold, my condition improved as a result of the good thoughts we were entertaining. I now returned to my sister in Kaiserslautern, but after a few days there I became just as ill as I had been before. This so greatly disturbed me that I was assailed by doubts, and went to a physician, who after an examination told me that I should at once seek a warmer climate. He prescribed two kinds of medicine, neither of which brought the relief I was longing for, and fever and other distressing symptoms set in. As I felt very ill, I did not leave Kaiserslautern, but went to a home in order to be relieved of the cares of the household. In this home I devoted nearly all my time to the reading of Science and Health, and wrote to the practitioner at Wiesbaden, begging her to take up absent treatment for me; and she did so gratuitously, as I was in need. I improved perceptibly, to the great surprise of the ladies and nurses of the home, who thought I would not live longer than spring at the outside; but in five weeks, that is in February, 1910, I was well, and am so today. Words fail to express the joy with which I informed the practitioner that through God's grace and love, and her instrumentality, my health had been restored. A sense of deep gratitude came over me that my eyes had been opened and I could not only hear but also understand the truth regarding the laws of God.
There is another experience of which I would like to tell. One day, Shortly before Christmas, in leaving a store the door closed so quickly behind me as to catch my thumb between the heavy door and the door-frame. The pain almost caused me to faint, so that I had to take hold of the door till I had somewhat recovered. On my way home, which took me about twenty minutes, I tried to overcome the pain, and when I reached home there was only a feeling of numbness left. I then took off my glove with some difficulty, and after cleaning my hands I tried to do a piece of fancy-work. To my great surprise I succeeded; I was able to hold the needle, and in ten days had completed the work. In about three months' time a new nail had grown, and during all that time I used neither cot nor bandage.
Although I often fail in my endeavor to conform my acts to God's requirements, God, divine Mind, has manifestly helped me. The greatest and best thing, however, which Christian Science has given and is still giving me, is the spiritual uplift, the true recognition of God, the consciousness that the Holy Spirit is ever present, the sweet assurance of being secure under God's care, and the thought that with His help I may bring peace to many a dejected heart. It is but a question of time when the teachings of our revered Leader, Mrs. Eddy, will be better understood, for a deep yearning after truth and a better understanding of Christ's words is extending throughout the world.
Emma Carra, Naustadt a. d. Haardt, Germany.
