In reading the testimony of Harry J. Guppy in the Journal of July, 1901, I notice that he gives much prominence to the disappearing of the tobacco habit. I have also read of many such cases in Christian Science, and know of some cases personally. For almost three years I have been a student of Mrs. Eddy's works, and many times I have wished to tell the Field what God's love has done for me in removing the conditions of mind that do not belong to God's child.
When I was led to take treatment for a claim of deafness. I was so deep in sin and material beliefs that God and His dear love was entirely shut out of my life. I lived in the full realization of pleasure in sin and selfishness. But the dear friend who was so patient, kind, and loving, and who in her quiet way led me away from the terrible precipice on which I stood, and showed me the masters I had been serving, also told me of my relation to God, showing me that as His child and heir such things did not belong to me. For thirty years I had been a servant to drink of all kinds and tobacco in all forms, smoking sometimes twenty cigars a day and always having a pipe or cigar with me. One day she said to me, "You know, my dear friend, that you do not have to smoke." I said, "How do you know that I do?" She answered, "I did not say that you did," and told me to read in Science and Health, p. 450: "It need not be added that the use of tobacco and intoxicating drinks is not in harmony with Christian Science." That was almost three years ago, and I have never tasted anything intoxicating since that hour. The desire for tobacco went at the same time. Once I felt as if I would like to smoke and tried it, but threw my cigar away in disgust. These habits were totally destroyed. Since then the desire for frivolous amusements has fled, together with fear, doubt, restlessness, worry, inactivity, and many other conditions of mortal mind. "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God." I am content to rest in this thought of Isaiah: "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."
Dover, N. H.
