Michael Seek, the Associate Editor of Der Christian Science Herold, spoke with Wilhelm Kirchhoff about his experiences as a Christian Scientist for over seven decades. Here are excerpts from that interview, which was originally published in full in German.

Mr. Kirchhoff, how did you learn about Christian Science?

In 1924 I had just left school and started an apprenticeship when my parents began to attend meetings with other students of Christian Science in Halberstadt. This came about through my older sister, who had previously been healed of a nervous disorder through Christian Science. That year the group began to hold public services, which I also attended.

What was it at the time that appealed to you about Christian Science?

Even as a child I had been very interested in religion and also loved the Bible. In Christian Science I found a clearer interpretation of the Bible and of Christ Jesus' teachings. This impelled me to study more thoroughly the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.

Over the years my study grew more intensive. I now had a provable religion, and I told my fellow typesetters about it at work. They said that they were surprised that I—someone they thought was enlightened—would be dealing with religious issues. But I refused to be deterred, because I saw proofs that the Science of Christianity heals.

Can you give an example?

After several years, when my understanding of the healing Christ had deepened, I was working with a colleague who doubted that my religion was a provable Science. He wanted to put my convictions to the test. He referred me to another co-worker, who had been wounded in the First World War and suffered from constant pain. We got into a conversation, and he asked me to pray for him. After several days he was asked how he was doing and whether he felt any better. He confirmed that the pain was almost gone, at which my doubting colleague happily congratulated me on this proof. As I had prayed for this man, I had understood that wounds and pain have no divine origin, but exist only in human belief. This understanding brought about the healing.

What effect did the National Socialists' ban on Christian Science have on you?

Public church services were no longer held. Numerous Christian Scientists were imprisoned, and some of us were even taken to concentration camps. In prison, two other Christian Scientists and I clung to the conviction that divine justice rules and that God does not relinquish this dominion. And so, after nine days we were released. Our Christian Science books had been taken away, but the spiritual truth that we had understood was still ours. So we were able to continue living the spirit of Science even without the "letter."

How did things go for you in the Second World War?

I had always taken the firm position that war does not exist in divine Mind. My thought was that I did not want to kill anyone. So I was all the more surprised when I was called up for active duty in the third year of the war. At first, I could not see this call as divine guidance, but I was assigned to a unit in northern Norway, where I was far removed from the happenings of the war.

What happened after the war?

I had gotten married and now had to provide for my family. I had, as a Christian Science practitioner, dedicated myself fully to serving my religion, and had no other income. This required complete trust in God's care and provision, and here, too, I experienced that God helps us in every situation. Our needs were met in a wide variety of ways. Once, when I was desperate to find the money to make ends meet, a twenty-deutsche-mark bill came fluttering toward me on the street. This seemed to me like a gift from God.

While Germany was divided, you lived in what was then the German Democratic Republic. How did you maintain your freedom there?

In the German Democratic Republic the public practice of Christian Science was banned, but we were allowed to keep our books. And so I continued to study the weekly Bible Lessons in the Christian Science Quarterly. I got the citations illegally because importing the Quarterlys was prohibited. These citations were passed along to those who were also hungering for this spiritual nourishment. Other Christian Scientists did the same thing, so that this need was met in the German Democratic Republic. I was there when the government of the German Democratic Republic officially recognized Christian Science as a religion on November 2, 1989, once again lifting all restrictions on our religion.

Over the course of my life, I have learned to value this religion for the fact that in every situation it gives us ideas that will lead to success. All of the difficulties I had to overcome ended in blessing and advanced my understanding of the reality of spiritual being. I thank God for the guidance I have experienced and will continue to entrust myself to Him.

And ... the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: and was there until the death of Herod.

Matthew 2:13–15