In April, fifteen years ago, I received my first treatment in Christian Science. I was suffering with stomach and bowel trouble, and quite frequently was attacked with biliousness; and in seeking relief from these ills, I constantly took medicine. Besides my physical distress, I was in a bad state mentally. I had become very fond of drink; in fact, I was such a slave to it that not a day passed when I did not take a dozen or more drinks. I also had the tobacco habit, and smoked heavily. I swore at everything that went wrong, which was often, for nothing seemed to go right ; and feeling that I had but a few more years to live, I was much concerned and worried concerning the welfare of my wife and little ones, for it seemed that I should be able to leave little or nothing for their support.
At the end of the first week after beginning Christian Science treatment, I was healed of the physical ills, and with this healing there came into my consciousness a strong desire to become a better man. That prayer was answered, for soon my bad habits began to disappear. One by one they left me, not instantaneously, but gradually and finally, for in a few months I was freed from all desire for liquor and tobacco; and together with these errors many others were destroyed. My experience has since been so filled with good things that I have been able to "put off the old man with his deeds; and . . . put on the new," and as a result we began to be prosperous, and have continued so.
When I look back and compare the past conditions with the present, my heart goes out in deep gratitude to a loving God, and to that pure, good woman, Mrs. Eddy, who has made the way so plain and easy that even one so sinful as I could see the way and walk therein. There is not a bit of hate, malice, envy, or bitterness left in my consciousness. I love mankind, and find in the grass, the flowers, and the songs of the birds, evidences of ever-present Love. — St. Louis, Mo.
