When the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," the major written work of our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, was placed in my hands, I read the beautiful first chapter, on Prayer, and accepted its teaching without reservation. At another time for about one hour I read at random throughout the book. Not long thereafter I was instantaneously healed of all effects of a small but severe burn by an effortless declaration of truth the instant the error presented itself.
A short time later, after treatment from a Christian Science practitioner, I awoke the next morning healed of a severe attack of grippe. But what really made my heart rejoice was that I was freed from the burdensome habit of cigarette smoking. For a long time I had desired and striven in vain to be rid of this bondage.
But I must admit I was unfaithful to Christian Science. In a fit of anger, after a quarrel at home, I accepted the first invitation to smoke and became a more depraved victim of the habit than before. When I came to myself, I was filled with remorse, but when I tried to resist, the tempter snared me with the argument, "You must not use will power; you know the textbook says so." With this lie I was shackled until I attended a Christian Science lecture at which the lecturer made the declaration that Science is the religion of right resistance. With this truth ringing in my ears, I walked from the lecture hall again free from this bondage. I had been instantaneously and permanently healed.
