I am very grateful for an instantaneous healing of the drinking and smoking habits. This came about while I was reading Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy.
I used to hasten to my bedroom at night, light a cigarette, and start to read. I came to this statement (p. 406): "The depraved appetite for alcoholic drinks, tobacco, tea, coffee, opium, is destroyed only by Mind's mastery of the body. This normal control is gained through divine strength and understanding." I put my cigarette out and have never smoked or touched alcohol since, and that was twenty-five years ago.
Mrs. Eddy also points out further on that using tobacco or intoxicating drinks is not in accordance with Christian Science (see p. 454). I loved Christian Science, and the desire to continue in these habits just fell away from me like a discarded garment, as indeed it was. I was glad to leave the old for the new. "Gladness to leave the false landmarks and joy to see them disappear,— this disposition helps to precipitate the ultimate harmony" (ibid., p. 324).
