I was brought up to love and serve God, but there always seemed to be something that I could not find, so that when Christian Science was first brought to my notice I had not attended a place of worship for three years. I had become so addicted to intoxicating drink that at times if I had any money in my pocket I could not pass a saloon. I have often left my money at home because I could not resist the temptation to drink. I had also been addicted to the use of tobacco from childhood, and was never without it, although disgusted with myself for using it.
This was my condition when, about four years ago, I was working at the house of our First Reader. She introduced the subject of Christian Science to me. It seemed a very foolish belief and I thought no more about it until I had finished the work and was leaving the house, when she brought me a book and offered it to me on condition that if I would read it through three times I could keep it. I said I would read it.
I took the book home, and after supper I sat down in my accustomed place to read the daily paper, but it had not been delivered that day, so I took up Science and Health and commenced to read it. I read for a short time but did not like it, so I tossed it on the desk and smoked my pipe. Not having anything else to read, I took up the book again, refilled my pipe, and commenced to read. I then became interested, and continued the reading until I had read it through. While doing so, without any effort or thought on my part, the appetite for strong drink left me, also the appetite for smoking and chewing tobacco.
