Testimony of Healing February 7, 1948 Issue

I should not feel that I was being...

Clara. Jorgensen

I should not feel that I was being grateful for the Cause of Christian Science and to our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, if I did not express my gratitude for our release from Bilibid Prison, in Manila, Philippine Islands.

My husband and I were taken prisoners at Baguio on December 28, 1941, along with five hundred and fifty other American and British civilians. We were grouped together and forced to march the distance of three miles to Camp John Hay, with only a limited amount of luggage, which we ourselves had to carry. When we reached this camp we were all crowded into one building and forced to sleep on the bare floors. Only a very limited amount of food and water was available for three days until the camp could be properly organized. After being interned in this camp for five months, we were moved by trucks to Camp Holmes, an old constabulary barracks. This camp could accommodate only one hundred fifty persons, but over five hundred internees were crowded into this small space. We remained in this camp for three years under trying conditions, with just barely enough food to keep us alive.

Although many of the missionaries in the camp were forced to give up their Bibles before being interned, it was possible for me to hold onto my Bible and the textbook, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy. I was indeed most grateful for this privilege. My husband and son and I studied our Lesson-Sermon daily, even though we used the one Christian Science Quarterly for the duration of internment. I was especially grateful for some Sentinels which my son found untouched by the enemy in an old building that he was forced to dismantle. He was able to hide them in his clothing and bring them back to camp. This was indeed a revelation and a pearl of great price. These Sentinels did their work beautifully in comforting many in despair.