Letters September 15, 1923 Issue

Letters from the Field

with contributions from Minnie S. Avery

"Ever since my return home I have wanted to thank you for the three happy weeks spent in the beautiful Sanatorium. Two months before, our ten-year-old boy had had a fall on a rock, and was in a snowdrift for some time after. A severe sickness followed, and a relapse which left him unable to walk straight or to talk so that we could understand all he said. His eyesight was also so greatly impaired that he could no longer read. We were led to ask a practitioner for help, and received it. These sad conditions were largely overcome; but he was very thin and weak, and it took an effort to rouse him to eat or take an interest in anything.

"Then came the beautiful invitation from the practitioner, who was at that time in the home, to visit the Sanatorium of The Christian Science Benevolent Association; and before the day was over Love had opened the way. We arrived early one morning; and that night, after spending a day in that atmosphere of love and sweet peace, Robert said, 'Mother, this has been the happiest day of my life.' His convalescence was very rapid. Soon his sight was perfect. He could easily read the names and numbers in the telephone directory, and see the lighthouse far away from our windows. His speech became perfectly normal. When we left he had almost regained his weight, and had had the happiest experience that could come to a boy. He is back again in school, keeping up with his studies, and has also taken his part in the Y. M. C. A. athletics and entertainment. We are grateful for all the kindnesses showered on him by the associates and guests. Never did I see so much love and courtesy shown to a boy.

"I wish I could speak of the inspiration it is to a Christian Scientist to have had the blessing of being a guest in the Sanatorium, and to have had the opportunity thus afforded for study and spiritual advancement, and to have felt that sweet rest. How grateful we should be that our Leader's wishes have been carried out and a place prepared with the 'conditions of environment and harmonious influence that are essential to success' (Pulpit and Press, p. 54). During the sad part of the experience with my son, my voice became unnatural. During the second Sunday night song service in the Sanatorium, where the guests spend an hour singing the hymns in our Hymnal, I felt something in my throat begin to relax and some of the tones came quite easily. I can now sing and talk naturally.

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