My introduction to Science came in 1936, when I had suffered a nervous breakdown. The Christian Science lecturer who gave me my first glimpse of this great truth of being was able to reach my medically-based thoughts of healing and modify them. He had been a medical doctor before he became a Christian Science practitioner and lecturer, so he was able to describe his transition from medical practice to Christian Science practice as he demonstrated to himself the absence of any power to heal in the drugs he used to prescribe. Although I was a chemical engineer by training, I had taken several night school courses in physiology and pharmacology. The lecturer was able to build a bridge for me to cross over from medical-mindedness to dependence on Spirit, God.

This change did not come quickly, because I had so many false notions to unlearn. In addition, there were many false traits of character to be overcome, and, in all candor, I must add that I am still working on some of them.

There was one turning point I should mention specifically. I had a serious problem of digesting certain foods. It seemed that this problem of indigestion made me feel irritable. One day I was able to turn this thing around; it occurred to me that the false quality of irritability was the root cause of the indigestion. When I dealt through conscientious prayer with the irritability and replaced it with patience and consideration of others, I started to make progress and was healed.

Many blessings have come to me and my family since I have learned to live the truth that Christian Science teaches. I have applied its teachings to the development of a business venture my wife and I undertook some years ago. Neither business nor sales experience had prepared me for this work. But we held to the thought that our business was a service, and that our desire to serve God and man would be rewarded. Qualities of patience, persistence, and gratitude for the good already received supported us through the early days, and the business is now firmly established.

About three and a half years ago I was able to lay aside glasses I had worn for over thirty years. My ability to read fine print has improved since then even though I have to use my eyes a great deal in administrative work. For these specific healings and many other examples of God's grace, I am sincerely grateful. Through more than thirty years, I have found that the more clearly I have been able to grasp the immensity of God's spiritual revelation to Mrs. Eddy, and the divine wisdom that guided her human footsteps to make this revelation understandable and practical, the greater has been my joy in making this Science the central fact of each day of my life.

Hugo W. Hiemke
San Marino, California

My husband's progress in his study of Christian Science has been an inspiration to me. His wonderful healing gave me the courage to trust in God's care and love just a few years later when our two small children and I became ill with scarlet fever. Our healings under Christian Science treatment were quick.

Our children's attendance records during their school years were excellent. Both were ready for college just a few years after we started our business, and I know that without trust in God our financial needs at that time could never have been taken care of. We surely can say from experience, "Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need," as Mrs. Eddy tells us in Science and Health (p. 494).

(Mrs.) Elsa E. Hiemke