"Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" was first placed in my hands about twelve years ago. I remember saying, after having read several pages, that it had an uplifting influence which was remarkable. However, I continued my pursuit of Eastern philosophy and the sophistry of the would-be sciences of the day, trying to find the solution to the problem of life, and little dreaming that I had laid down the precious key that would unlock its seeming mystery. The years thus drifted by, then sorrow and affliction came, and with them despair,—the darkness of night without a star.
At this time my attention was again turned to Christian Science, and I received treatment, but a collapse seemed inevitable, and I was unable to resist the suggestion that I must have a physician. The struggle lasted three months. According to materia medica, it was a serious complication of symptoms, and unusual in the extreme. I was fed on mineral waters and liquids for many weeks, with the prospect of a year without any solid food. The physician's last warning was that if I had a relapse he could give me no hope.
I again took up Science and Health, and read it faithfully, until the morbidness of not wanting to live had gradually disappeared. Life had a new meaning, but the physician's warning kept ringing in my ears, and the relapse came. I was playing at the time (being in the dramatic profession) when the pain and the swelling over my heart commenced, but I knew enough from the study of the precious book to hold on to the omnipresence of God, good. Fortunately we were playing in the city, so that I could go to a practitioner. In one treatment the swelling was removed; in two treatments I was able to eat anything, and in two weeks my condition was completely normal. In the mean time I played every night, and scarcely a member of the company knew of the battle for life that was going on.
