For the benefit of any who have a problem similar to one I had, I should like to relate the following experience. Tobacco was as much a part of my life as were my daily meals; my after-breakfast and after-dinner cigars were as essential to me as the meals themselves. Everything was provided for my smoking pleasure.
I was attending Christian Science church services regularly and had met several church members who later became very good friends. One evening we were invited, with another couple, to the home of Christian Scientists for dinner. In respect to our host and hostess, I knew that I must satisfy my tobacco appetite before going to their home, so I smoked a cigar, a pipeful of tobacco, and a cigarette while waiting for my wife to dress.
During the course of our conversation after dinner, I was asked by one of the party if I intended to join our branch Church of Christ, Scientist. I replied, "I surely wish I could, because I enjoy attending the services and want to be a Christian Scientist, but I smoke and love tobacco, and I understand I cannot be a member if I smoke." Then my friend replied: "Why, are you not the son of God, His image and likeness? As God's child, do you mean that a weed grown in the field can have such influence over you?" His words, so powerfully and lovingly stated, remained with me throughout the balance of the evening. When I returned home I sought out my comfortable chair, but the odor of burnt tobacco nauseated me. I knew then that I was through with tobacco, and the next day I disposed of my pipes, tobacco, and cigars. That evening I returned to my friend's home and presented my application for membership in our branch church.
