I was reared in accordance with...

Heloísa Teixeira Mendes Gelber

I was reared in accordance with the teachings of Christian Science, and from childhood I learned to apply its teachings in solving the problems I had to face, either at school or concerning health. The years I spent in Sunday School were beneficial, and in the course of them Science helped me many times to demonstrate love and understanding in the affairs of childhood and youth.

When I was eighteen years old, I entered a university and began to come in contact with young people whose habits of thought and life differed from the high standard required by divine Principle. Within a short time the influence of university life made itself felt on me, and since I was the only Christian Scientist I was ashamed because my behavior was different from that of my fellow students. Most of the students did not have any religion, and a religious person was considered a reactionary. I would not tell anyone that I was a Scientist, and I began to skip Sunday School and to neglect my daily duties as a Christian Scientist.

At that time I had a severe case of sinusitis and was induced to accept medical treatment, which brought temporary results. Later on I had a relapse, and I realized how much I had lost through having gotten away from my religion. I asked for the help of a practitioner and also endeavored to study. I understood clearly that man in God's image and likeness is perfect and is always at one with Him; this conclusion helped me to eliminate a sense of guilt I had entertained because I thought that I had "gone far from [God]" (Jer. 2:5).

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