The strong desire to express my gratitude for Christian Science by becoming a member of The Mother Church and a branch church, enabled me to free myself from the habits of cigarette smoking and social drinking. In the healing of smoking, a very helpful citation reads in part (II Cor. 6:17, 18): "Touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." Church membership continues to be a great joy and privilege.
It was sorrow at the passing of my mother that had forced me to examine my position as a nonchurch-member and question what my values really were. Mrs. Eddy tells us in Science and Health (p. 377), "If grief causes suffering, convince the sufferer that affliction is often the source of joy, and that he should rejoice always in ever-present Love." Hymns in the Christian Science Hymnal were of special comfort at this time, particularly No. 359, with the words "Trust the Eternal," and No. 148, which begins, "In heavenly Love abiding,/No change my heart shall fear," as well as the last stanza of Mrs. Eddy's poem "Love" set to music (Hymn No. 30):
Thou to whose power our hope we give,
Free us from human strife.
Fed by Thy love divine we live,
For Love alone is Life;
And life most sweet, as heart to heart
Speaks kindly when we meet and part.
