I was deeply impressed by the book A Century of Christian Science Healing. It has encouraged and inspired me to tell of my share of blessings and experiences that have led me to a clearer glimpse of God.

A tense atmosphere of fear and uncertainty lay upon prewar Germany. It was especially felt in Berlin. At this time I was told of Christian Science and was invited to attend a Christian Science lecture sponsored by the Christian Science churches in one of the great halls in Berlin. I hardly understood what was said by the American woman lecturer, but was deeply impressed by the following testimony the lecturer quoted.

A poor, sick, and lonely woman went to a Christian Science practitioner for help. He asked her to write out a list of blessings for which she could express gratitude. To this request she answered that under the circumstances she had nothing to be grateful for.

On her way home the woman began to realize how many things there are for which to be grateful. First of all she expressed gratitude for the train enabling her to reach home safely and conveniently. She noticed the golden sunshine of that day, the beauty of the skies and surroundings, and at last, arriving home, she found a bunch of violets on her doorstep, the first sign of a neighbor's attention. At the next visit to the practitioner the woman was completely healed.

As the war developed, I was arrested, along with many of my friends, as an alien (Latvian born) and of Jewish origin, and I was taken to a very severe concentration camp near Hannover. Arriving at the camp, I realized at once its death grip and its aim of destruction. I tried to apply the little I knew of Science, but I soon realized I knew too little to meet this erroneous thought and its vicious purpose.

When humanly feeling at the end of my strength, I suddenly remembered the testimony related in the lecture. Standing at the barbed wire gate, I started talking to my Father-Mother God simply and quietly. I remember saying to God that I knew that Moses had talked to Him as a friend, and I promised that for eight days I would give constant and sincere gratitude for all the good, for all the love, and for all the benefits, kindness, and help He had given me during my life.

In the days that followed I expressed gratitude day and night for everything I had, for everything I possessed, and for all the good I had encountered previously. After a few days of prayerful gratitude I felt my thoughts rising above the dismal situation as if lifted by wings of love and mercy.

After eight days the doors of our barracks were opened, and we were told that the group to which I was attached was to be transferred to a much better internment camp. My heart was reverent as, for the first time in my life, I felt God's omnipotence in operation. The journey to the internment camp took a full week in danger and under air attacks, but I clung to the ninety-first Psalm. It was my stay, my support, and my safety. "There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways" (verses 10, 11).

I was grateful that at this internment camp I met many Christian Science students, mostly interned from Paris, who gave me the hope and encouragement I so badly needed. After the war I was able to come to England and enjoy its hospitality and security.

With my deepest, sincerest gratitude to God for Mary Baker Eddy and for Christian Science, I give this testimony.

(Mrs.) Alma Lewin, Richmond, Surrey, England