Testimonies of healing of the appetite for tobacco and alcohol are frequently given at Wednesday testimony meetings in Christian Science churches and in the Christian Science periodicals. Christian Science not only destroys false appetites; it protects one from acquiring them. It did just that for me. When I enlisted for Army service in the First World War, I was under eighteen. I resolved not to drink or smoke because I knew it was not in accord with Christian Science, which I understood a little and loved a lot. The help I got through my own study of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, a copy of which I carried in my haversack and read at every available opportunity, enabled me to keep my resolution in the face of both friendly and malicious attempts to make me break it. There was no sense of struggle on my part, nor any thought of self righteousness, but there was that peace which "passeth all understanding." My stand attracted respect too. Much to my surprise, a very "tough" old soldier who was a heavy smoker and a habitual drunkard confided to me that he admired my stand and wished that he himself could be free.
Christian Science does not demand the surrender of anything good or truly pleasing. On the contrary, it makes crystal-clear the fact that all good, including everything that is truly pleasing, is always present and available to man, the beloved son and heir of our Father-Mother God; and it shows one how to demonstrate this. It is right to be oneself, manifesting good will, generosity, joyousness, and qualities which constitute true individuality, but disgusting habits and poisons have nothing whatever to do with such God-derived qualities.
"And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good" (Gen. 1:31). God, being all-inclusive and infinitely good, is satisfied. Therefore man, His image and likeness, is satisfied. But God is not conscious of, hence not satisfied by, the mortal illusion regarding intoxicants and tobacco. And man, being His reflection, is likewise not satisfied by them.
The Christian Scientist understands these truths and is not deceived by the false argument that there is pleasure in intoxication and smoking. He understands that tobacco and alcohol do not bring out man's true nature as the joyous son of God, but obscure it and poison the human system and dull the mind. The student of Christian Science consequently does not require a cigarette to enable him to appear at ease. He knows that man is at ease. He does not require alcohol to deaden his sensibilities so that inane and coarse conversation may appear to be humorous and witty. He understands humor and wit as natural. Intoxication promises pleasure, but produces pain, misery, disease, poverty, suffering, and cruelty.
Pleasure which does not lessen virtue is good. If appetites really gave pleasure, pleasure would depend on unintelligent matter and evil, and therefore would be limited and subject to discord and destruction. But this is not true. Pleasure can only be found in the reflection of God. The Psalmist declared (16:11), "In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."
Christian Science unmasks the error which says that there is pleasure in false appetites and destroys their delusive, painful consequences. "This conviction, that there is no real pleasure in sin," writes Mrs. Eddy (Science and Health, p. 404), "is one of the most important points in the theology of Christian Science. Arouse the sinner to this new and true view of sin, show him that sin confers no pleasure, and this knowledge strengthens his moral courage and increases his ability to master evil and to love good."
Young people who come into contact with Christian Science before the temptation of smoking and social drinking come their way are very fortunate. They learn that there is no real pleasure in bad habits. They learn that bad habits do not add to charm, but detract from it. They learn to see through the disguise of falsely attractive advertising which couples loathsome and harmful habits with pleasant pastimes and good companionship. They learn that pleasure, good humor, charm, and joy are present for all to express. They learn that man is free, and not a slave to appetites. They resolve to be free, and Christian Science gives them strength and courage to be free and to stand by their right resolution. "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free" (Gal. 5:1).
