My wife has been a dedicated Christian Scientist for many years. Our three children attended a Christian Science Sunday School and have become members of The Mother Church. There have been numerous healings in our family.
For years I was not a member of the Church, although I encouraged and supported the family in their practice of Christian Science. I had not joined the Church because I was a heavy smoker and had been a slave to tobacco for almost forty-five years. I wanted desperately to rid myself of this addiction, and I tried all the methods of control known at that time, including rationing and medication, and all my efforts failed. I had considered trying Christian Science but did not believe I had sufficient understanding to effect a healing.
During a week in June 1969 my wife went to be with a daughter, who was having a baby, and I was left home alone. One evening while she was gone, I was reading a book and smoking. I finished the book and set it aside. At this point I must mention that it was my wife's practice to leave copies of the Christian Science Sentinel at strategic locations around the house—on the coffee table, the lamp tables, and my desk. Each issue was opened to an article which she thought to be of particular interest to me, and it was her expectation that I would pick it up and read it.
