At the age of ten I began to stutter

At the age of ten I began to stutter. I was very embarrassed when I heard myself stuttering in conversation or in school, so I attempted to speak only when necessary. This caused me to avoid contact with people, though I enjoyed association with others.

I could speak more freely at home with my immediate family or with a few close friends, so my parents did not realize that the impediment was a serious difficulty. I never mentioned the trouble to anyone, and people seldom mentioned it to me.

School became very difficult. I dropped from getting perfect grades in elementary school to barely attaining the minimum grade-point average required for graduation from high school. I wanted to drop out, but my parents insisted I continue. When I commenced working in an office at age seventeen, I did stop going to Sunday School in order to avoid reading aloud. (I had been attending a Christian Science Sunday School since I was five.) From then on I attended Sunday and Wednesday church services, read the writings of Mary Baker Eddy and the Christian Science periodicals, and attended Christian Science lectures.

I gradually adjusted in some degree to the stuttering, but when I was seeking my second job at age twenty, I asked my mother to call a Christian Science practitioner for me. I needed prayerful support because of my fear of interviews, but using a telephone was my hardest task. The practitioner prayed for me and I soon had a job, but there was further progress needed with the stuttering.

During the next few years I read most of the Bible, all of the writings of Mrs. Eddy, and several biographies of her life; I was hoping to learn how I could be healed. I didn't understand what I read very well, however, and I smoked for a number of years.

While serving in the United States Army during the Second World War, I began to study and pray more diligently. After the war I stopped smoking on the same day that I started daily study of the Bible Lessons (outlined in the Christian Science Quarterly). This was a total and instant healing after several years of attempting to quit through willpower. I rejoiced and was grateful to God.

After another year or two I joined a branch Church of Christ, Scientist. One Sunday I was assigned to give a short metaphysical reading for the ushers' meeting on the following Sunday. I thought to myself, "That's impossible, but I will trust in God to bring it about." On Sunday, still trusting in God, I opened my mouth to read. The words flowed forth, clear and smooth and strong. This was a joyful experience, and I thanked God for this manifestation of His irresistible power and presence.

I continued to be active as a church member and gained confidence and freedom. This eventually resulted in my giving testimonies of healing at Wednesday evening meetings and later serving a three-year term as First Reader of my branch church. I am very grateful for my freedom in speaking.

Charles H. Wenne
Kansas City, Missouri