For years I was afflicted with chronic sick headaches. I was in the theatrical profession. I hardly knew what it was to go to the theater entirely free from pain. I took various medicines and headache powders, but these only brought on stomach disorders. I became morose, despondent, and quick-tempered. One day a friend advised me to try Christian Science, and spoke of the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. For several days I went to the Public Library and read this book; but, like many others who are anxious to be relieved of sickness but not of sin, I gave it up as something altogether too abstract for material benefit. On a certain Sunday, a few years later, I was prompted to attend a Christian Science service. I came away greatly impressed, not only with the service, but also with the evident sincerity of the kindly expressions of welcome accorded me. I started to read the Christian Science periodicals, and slowly, to me, a new concept of God was unfolded,—God as Principle, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent Love. Again I delved into the textbook—this time with humility. I was convinced that the full revelation of Truth's healing power was in its pages, and that only through consecrated study could this power be made manifest in human consciousness. In a short time I was completely healed of the sick headaches. A liking for intoxicants was also completely obliterated; and shortly afterwards tobacco, to which I had been a slave for many years, became obnoxious to me. To this latter habit I had been a willing slave, and thought I had no desire to overcome it. Striving to realize the true concept of man and man's relation to God, I at length discovered that it had no place in my consciousness. I rejoiced in this new freedom.
In following my vocation as manager of my own company, I became aware that I was harboring some very subtle errors, such as fear, worry, and doubt. I saw the necessity of closer study in order to be able to apply the rule of Christian Science in every undertaking. I saw that I must learn just how Christian Science "resolves things into thoughts, and replaces the objects of material sense with spiritual ideas" (Science and Health, p. 123). As this understanding was grasped, fear, doubt, and worry were cast out of consciousness, and calm trust and assurance were ushered in.
There were others in the company who were studying Christian Science. Often on Sundays we would find ourselves in a small town where there was no Christian Science church. At such times, we always made it a point to have the entire service among ourselves; and on Wednesdays we had our testimony meetings before going to the theater at night. I mention these incidents because I am fully cognizant of the wonderful blessings that were derived from them. We continually gave thanks for demonstrations over obstacles which, to human sense, seemed often insurmountable. On one occasion, when a malignant epidemic was raging in a certain section, every theatrical company except ours was forced either to close indefinitely, or else to leave that section and rearrange the season's itinerary.
