Some years ago, all I had of this world's goods slipped...

Florilla M. Rohde

Some years ago, all I had of this world's goods slipped away in what was known as a business failure, and it became necessary to seek employment. Feeling that the world had used me badly, I was filled with bitterness, envy, criticism, and discouragement.

I obtained a position which I held for a year, and then, because I had given the best I had in the way of service to my employer, I was finally led to another position, this time with a woman who was a student of Christian Science. As I was very desirous of obtaining this position, I had given her the impression that I was interested in Christian Science, when in fact I was not, for I thought it was some sort of fake. After an interview the first morning, she laid a copy of The Christian Science Monitor on my desk with the remark, "This article on the Home Forum page is wonderful." When she went out I tore the paper up and consigned it to the wastebasket. On each of the four succeeding mornings the same thing occurred, with no question on her part as to what I thought. Finally, on Saturday, my curiosity was aroused, and I decided to see what it was that she thought so wonderful. When I read the religious article on the Home Forum page I became much interested, and within a very short time I began the study of Christian Science.

For nearly a year I seemed unable to correlate the Bible and Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, or get anything from them, but it never occurred to me to give up. Then, gradually, the truth began to unfold. At this time I suffered from gallstones, growing frantic as each spell of pain seemed more severe. One night, during a very severe attack, I became so exhausted that I insisted upon a physician being called to give me a hypodermic. When he came, he looked at me for a moment, and I heard him say that if I was removed to a hospital and operated upon within an hour, my life might be saved, though he doubted it. As I listened to him, something seemed to tell me that neither he nor an operation could do anything for me, but that God could; suddenly the great inward pressure ceased, and I was healed. The hypodermic was not administered. I slept soundly all night and the next morning reported for work, a very grateful woman.

In 1915 the way opened for me to go into business. For nearly a year my association with two partners was most inharmonious, but I steadfastly turned to God, and with the patient, sincere help of a practitioner, error was met and mastered, leaving me alone with a business that began at once to prosper, and continued to do so for many years.

In 1930, during the so-called depression, all material possessions were suddenly swept away. Mrs. Eddy tells us on page 494 of Science and Health, "Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need." I shall never cease to be grateful for Christian Science, because I have proved the truth of that statement many times, and Love has never failed to meet the need and more.

Many ills have been overcome, including sick headaches which had troubled me at times for forty-five years, influenza, blood poisoning, and pneumonia; a broken wrist and fractured hand were completely healed in fourteen days.

I am most grateful for the healing of grief and separation at a time when one very dear to me passed on. My gratitude to Mrs. Eddy; to The Christian Science Board of Directors, whose faithful, consecrated work does so much to uphold our organization; to our practitioners; also for class instruction, and for the privilege of serving in church work, is best expressed in obedience and putting into practice my understanding of God and of man's relationship to Him. My daily prayer is that I may help others as I have been helped.

(Mrs.) Florilla M. Rohde, Chicago, Illinois.

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