Testimony of Healing March 19, 1949 Issue

Deep despondency lifts on first visit to church

Ethel Reed Menns

I am humbly grateful for Christian Science. This wonderful truth saved me when all hope for peace and happiness seemed gone. I was reared in an orthodox church, but strayed away when very young because I did not understand its teachings. However, even when I was in this unhappy frame of mind, I knew that only God could help me. I finally started once more to attend church. After a year I was more confused than ever, and one Sunday I became convinced that I would never go again. Then I decided on suicide.

On the following Wednesday I packed and labeled all my belongings for disposal. All day I did not answer the telephone or doorbell. About five o'clock I had started to load my gun when the doorbell rang. I felt compelled to answer. It was an old friend whom I had not seen for years. Seeing my tearstained face and my things all packed, she asked what the trouble was. I told her my story. She said simply, "Let's go to church tonight." I asked what church, and she replied, "The Christian Science church." That instant I recalled having lived in a Christian Science home when I was young and remembered how lovely the people were. I told my friend that I would go with her.

I have never been able to explain the peace that came over me as I entered the church and received such a loving welcome from the ushers. I do not remember one of the testimonies given; the thing that appealed to me was the silent prayer. As I left, a Sentinel was given me. Arriving home, I read it through. I then unpacked, placed everything in order, and had my first peaceful sleep in months.

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