"The people that walked in darkness have seen a great...

Margarete Diercksen

"The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined." "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." I have been privileged to experience both these promises, and for this reason wish at last to give my testimony, to glorify God and to bless those whose eyes, like my own, have been looking toward Christian Science for deliverance, but who, notwithstanding this fact, do not yet see the bright light.

After studying Christian Science for nearly two years I became very ill, and, my condition seeming to be serious, requested help. I, too, worked diligently, and the textbook was my constant companion during the ensuing month, but in spite of this my condition became worse. After consulting a practitioner on the subject, I requested a physician to tell me the name of the sickness. Had I not done this, how much fear and suffering I would have been spared! At that time I believed that my healing would be hastened through knowing the name of the error. The knowledge of it became a source of fear and anxiety to me. I was afflicted with diabetes, and as my condition was considered incurable my fear and suffering became boundless in consequence. The condition became more aggravated, and for several months I was bedridden. During this time I changed practitioners several times, but finally, through the sacrificing, unselfed work of a Christian Scientist was so far restored that I was able to leave my bed and again resume my home and professional duties.

Now came "seven lean years," which were so very important for my spiritual growth, and therefore every experience is dear and valuable to me. During these seven years I suffered greatly physically, and scarcely an organ in my body functioned properly; but despite great pain, weakness, and heartache, I did not miss an hour from my profession. To be sure I was often obliged to ask for help by telephone, for it often seemed as if the physical senses would be victor and again condemn me to idleness, but ever present Love helped every time. The continual thoughts of fear were my greatest tormentors, increasing and aggravating the symptoms, and I resorted to help from various practitioners during these seven years. A deep sense of despondency claimed me at times, and the tempter often whispered, "Your affliction is incurable in Christian Science." Mrs. Eddy teaches that Love heals. I therefore endeavored to express more of divine Love daily, and I can readily say that to give love and to help others was my protection in the darkest hours, and always gave me new courage. Through Christian Science I was freed during these years of suffering from many faults of character. Self-condemnation, pride, jealousy, malice, hatred, and irritability gradually gave way to Truth and Love, but my physical condition became constantly worse. In our textbook, however, Mrs. Eddy quotes, "The darkest hour precedes the dawn" (Science and Health, p. 96), and so it was in my case. When the material senses tried to tell me, "Your hours here are numbered," deliverance was already at hand.

I again read Der Herold for April, 1916, and my eyes seemed attracted to the article, "Practitioner and Patient," and I read and reread the following passage: "The patient should be confident that there is a practitioner available who can meet his need. Indeed there is no case which cannot be met by some practitioner, and it is always possible to find that one." These words were as balm to my tired, discouraged sense, and I was filled with new hope. The thought that the Father of Christ Jesus is my Father also scarcely ever left me. About six weeks later I was directed to a practitioner with whom I was unacquainted, and after the first treatment I was freed from the terrible fear. It left me so suddenly that at first I expected its reappearance, but, thanks be to God, the former conditions did not return. The truth of the following words was proved: "If the Scientist reaches his patient through divine Love, the healing work will be accomplished at one visit, and the disease will vanish into its native nothingness like dew before the morning sunshine" (Science and Health, p. 365). I realized that God is my Life, and that Life, God, is not dependent on functions or organs. From this hour on I made progress, although I did not then venture to eat everything. I discussed this with the practitioner four weeks later, and was freed from this belief also in a single treatment. It was revealed to me that food cannot influence or overthrow Life, God. From that hour on I have eaten everything, and in spite of the very scant war rations, have gained considerably in weight.

Six weeks after my wonderful healing I suffered a severe relapse; all the symptoms reappeared suddenly with doubled power. I was free from fear, however, so this temptation had no power. In three days I was completely restored through the faithful, loving help which I immediately requested, and since that time I have been completely free. Almost three years have elapsed since I was healed. Wandering in the dark valley was very difficult and laborious to material sense, but divine Life and Love illumined the darkness and permitted me to find an ascent, and none more glorious could be pictured. It led me to the divine heights, to the heights where greater peace awaits the children of God, where "old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."—(Mrs.) Margarete Diercksen, Berlin, Friedenau, Germany.

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