When Christian Science was first brought to my attention, I was a confirmed scoffer at the laws inculcated by this wonderful boon to humanity. I could easily believe anything told me that was derogatory to its teachings. I have since learned that this was the voice of error trying to drown the truth that was endeavoring to enter my consciousness; but like all things unreal, the suggestions of mortal belief were compelled to give way to the "still small voice" that brought to me a peace and quietness that I had never before felt in my more or less turbulent human experience, thus reminding me forcibly of the words of the prophet Isaiah, "The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever."
When the change of belief from the unreal to the real began to dawn in my consciousness, awakened through the undeniable healing of a serious chronic disorder of one very dear to me, it found me draining the bitter dregs of human experience. I had given myself over to error with a sort of hopeless resignation of one who had fought a losing fight in search of health, supply, and contentment. With this first healing in our family, which was little less than miraculous to me, came the encouraging thought that perhaps Christian Science could help me. Error, which is opposed to all that is good and enduring, at once attempted to shroud the hope that divine Love could enter my sin and disease filled mental storehouse by instilling into my consciousness the belief that mine was a too aggravated condition to be healed. It did indeed seem too wonderful for such a regenerating influence to come into the life of one who had experienced nothing but the opposite of its teaching. Love prevailed and I was induced to read a copy of the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, from which I learned substantially that God, good, is omnipotent and omnipresent.
Mere words are inadequate to express the happiness and relief the reading of this book brought to me through its message of Love. Before I had finished reading it through the first time, I realized to my astonishment that I had been healed of the use of tobacco in its many forms, after being an addict to this obnoxious habit for more than twenty years. In my search for health and harmony this healing came as a surprise, for this phase of my troubles had caused me little concern. I had yet to learn that Truth leavens the whole lump. When I became convinced of the reality of this healing of pleasure in material things, for which longing had vanished without conscious effort on my part, my hope was renewed, and I then began to study Christian Science earnestly and consecratedly. Then one by one the shackles that had bound me fell away giving thought freer action, and bringing a fuller realization that "with God all things are possible." I was then healed of a profane tongue, and the loosening of these bands brought more expressions of gratitude in thought and action, and the healing of the most pernicious habit of alcoholic indulgence of several years' growth followed; as did also the habit of gaming.
