I became addicted to alcoholic drink in 1887 and continued in this dissipation until the spring of 1894; previous to this time I was under the influence of liquor at least one half of my waking hours, although forming good resolutions every time I was sick from its use, which was very frequently, as when anything seemed to worry me, I would try to drown my trouble in drink.
In April of 1894 I came to Duluth, barely sober enough to walk without staggering, having been up all the 'night previous drinking with convivial companions. That same day a lady living in the house where I was staying, made the demonstration of healing a little child. I ridiculed the idea of healing without medicine. I asked, however, to see the book, Science and Health, upon which so much stress was laid as having healed people by the simple reading. She loaned it to me for a few hours, but sent for it, saying she could not get along without the book. I thought her insane, but she appeared perfectly rational on every other subject. This was on a Sunday afternoon and the following Sunday I attended the Christian Science church. That was eight years ago and I have missed only nine Sunday services since.
I purchased a copy of Science and Health, and every evening, and often in the morning before going to work, I would study it. But all I could see in it was Mind and matter until coming to p. 406 I read: "There is no enjoyment in getting drunk, in becoming a fool or an object of loathing." That was a severe blow to my way of looking at the matter, as I loved the taste of liquor. I kept repeating those words every time the temptation came to me to drink. One day I took a glass of liquor in my hand and put it to my lips, but could not bear the odor. I again tried to drink it, taking part in my mouth, but could not swallow it. Then I realized there was no real pleasure in alcoholic drink and have had no desire for drink since.
