It is now nearly six years since I became interested in Christian Science and bought its text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, with the thought that three dollars was all I could lose. At that time I was engaged in a wholesale and retail liquor house of this city as bookkeeper. After purchasing Science and Health and receiving a free copy of the Sentinel at the reading-room, I carried them to my desk, and my fellow workmen wanted to know if I was going to take up manual training, to which I replied that I did not know but what it might be something on that order; at any rate, I was going to find out. That evening, at home, I read a long time in the book, and every evening thereafter I was busy with it. I seemed to get little understanding out of it, but I was much encouraged on the way through the loving-kindness of a new friend in our neighborhood, who is a student of Christian Science.
While for some time I gained little understanding, nevertheless I suddenly discovered that my desire for strong drink had entirely left me. I then wanted to know various things about Christian Science and went to my friend for information; however, I got what I then thought little satisfaction, for he was continually citing me back to the book. After a couple of weeks, on opening my evening's companion, I read that it was not in keeping with Christian Science to use tobacco; and as I was ready to do whatever was in keeping with Science, I promptly packed up all my tobacco and its paraphernalia. I had intended to give it to my fellow workmen, but it appeared clearly to me on second thought that what was not good enough for me was not good enough to give away. This was the last of my indulgence in tobacco in any form. I had not bought Science and Health to be cured of either of these habits, but nevertheless I realized this benefit.
I continued working in the liquor business for several months, surrounded by all sorts of temptations, but they had no effect on me. Eventually this became a no-license town, and I was forced into other lines of business; and I can truthfully say that I save more money, and my wife, children, and myself get more comforts than ever before. Is it surprising that when my former employer (after the town again voted for license) offered me three times the salary I was then earning to come back into my old position, I was able, without regrets, to refuse? No, I could not go back into that out of which God had helped me.
