Seven years ago, leaving everything...

Ernst Garten

Seven years ago, leaving everything behind us, my wife and I left the eastern zone of Germany and arrived in the western zone penniless and mentally depressed. Despite all my efforts to find work, either in the business with which I was familiar or as an unskilled laborer, I met with no success.

A few months later, my aunt visited us. We were particularly impressed by the fact that she was very happy and cheerful, and we asked her how she could he so cheerful all the time. She told us that Christian Science alone had made this possible.

During her visit she told us a great deal about Science, and each day we read together the Bible Lesson, which is indicated in the Quarterly, using my aunt's copy of the textbook. Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy. Some time after her visit my aunt sent us a copy of the textbook and some of the other authorized literature.

My wife and I studied the textbook, and we regained our confidence and joy. Then a cousin visited us. He had been a Scientist since early childhood, and through his good offices I was to be given a position with a wholesale firm in another town. An interview with the firm had been arranged for me, but one day before it took place, when I was riding my bicycle, I collided with a motorcyclist. At the moment of collision my immediate and only thought was, "God is with you, and you are His image and likeness." Inasmuch as I was in a helpless condition, I was taken to a hospital by the police and there given medical treatment.

Some time later I could still open my mouth only very slightly because of a double fracture of the jaw, which I sustained in the accident. The doctors said that I would never again be able to open my mouth unless I submitted to an operation. But I refused to do this and instead asked my aunt to work prayerfully for me in Christian Science. A short time later I was able to open my mouth normally. I cannot express in words how happy and grateful I am for this healing. I was soon able to take up my new position.

Things continued to improve for my wife and me, and we were able to demonstrate God's power to meet all the needs of His children. Three months after we moved to this town, we found a permanent place in which to live. Several others had applied for it, and I did not think we would get it because I considered the other applicants had prior claims. However, my wife reminded me that God, the one divine Mind, orders perfectly the existence and activity of all His ideas. A few days later the place was allotted to us. We are inexpressibly grateful to God for this provision.

Some time later I developed a condition of the heart and circulation. The pain was so severe that I was obliged to stay away from my work. With the aid of the Bible and the textbook and all I had learned in Christian Science, I tried to pray for and heal myself. I continued for two weeks, and then in about three weeks my aunt was asked to give me a Christian Science treatment. The result of her work was amazing. Two days later I was in normal health. That was about two years ago, and I have had no further trouble of that kind.

I have found the way to an understanding of God through Christian Science, revealed to us by Mrs. Eddy, and I am wholeheartedly grateful for the many blessings and healings I have experienced. I give all honor to God.—Ernst Garten, Belecke/ Möhne, Westphalia, Germany.

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