I take a great deal of pleasure in reading the testimonies of healing that appear in the Sentinel each week. It gives me courage to work and labor that I may reach a higher and better spiritual understanding of the truth,—the truth that makes one free from all belief in the reality and power of sin, sickness, and disease, and brings a full realization of the allness of God, good. Having received so much benefit from these testimonies, I feel that I should give to the Field my own experience, hoping that it may be of assistance to some one struggling for relief as I struggled and fought. I pray God that it may, and with like results; and I know that it will, if they will only rely fully and wholly upon divine Love.

For many years prior to December, 1906, I had been addicted to the use of intoxicating liquors. The appetite for liquor grew as time passed on, though I believed (as all who use liquor believe) that I could stop drinking at any time I desired to do so, and that I was in no danger of its getting control of me. I labored under this delusion until some time in 1906, when I was awakened to the fact that according to belief I was in the clutches of this demon and could not escape. How many, many times did I try to break loose and free myself from this appetite, only to fail each time and find myself plunging deeper and deeper into bondage. Many times during the year 1906 did the thought of ending it all find lodgment in my mind, and it was given serious consideration; but the thought of my loved ones, my wife and children, was strong enough to save me from this, though it did not save me from the awful and consuming appetite for drink. How I prayed God for help time and time again, resolving and determining in my own mind that I would drink no more; but my prayers were seemingly unanswered, and my will-power was gone, undermined and consumed by alcohol. I finally was in such a condition physically that I could not sleep, and was compelled to have stimulants to use during the night in order to allay my nervous condition, while my appetite for food was practically gone.

This was my condition in the fall of 1906, when I again made a desperate effort to quit the use of liquor by the exercise of will-power. I left home, went away where I thought that by having new surroundings and being away from old associations I would be able to overcome this appetite. I remained a month and was somewhat benefited, but it did not last long, for in a few days after my return I was as bad as ever, if not in a worse condition. At this time my wife, who had commenced reading "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, and was attending the Christian Science meetings, asked me to read the chapter on "Prayer." I did so, and thought it good, but it did not appeal to me very much. At that time I had never heard of a case where a person had been healed of the liquor habit through Christian Science, but had always believed that Christian Science was only good for nervousness and other minor troubles. I continued, however, to read the book, and the more I read the more I wanted to, but I kept up the drinking just the same.

On the 23d day of December, 1906, my wife, little daughter, and myself left Omaha upon an early morning train for O'Neill, Nebraska, to spend Christmas with a daughter living at that place. The day before I had been drinking more than usual, and when I arose that morning I had only enough liquor for one drink. I took that, and after having breakfast we started for the depot. I soon wanted more liquor, but had none and could get none at the depot. After taking the train the thirst and desire increased, and I was in a condition which only those addicted to the use of stimulants can fully realize. At this point I thought I would read a little in Science and Health, thinking it might possibly do me some good. I went back in a car where I could be alone, and began to read with the sole object and desire that I might be healed, if possible, of this awful appetite and consuming fire. I had read for about an hour when all at once I realized that the desire for liquor was gone; that the burning thirst had wholly disappeared, the nervousness was all gone, and I was myself once more! How thankful I was. It seemed like the awakening from a dream, but immediately came the thought, Will it last? Can it last? We reached O'Neill late in the afternoon. My condition was perfectly normal, my appetite good, no trouble of any kind with the stomach, no period whatever of convalescence, and from that day to the present time I have never had any desire for stimulants of any kind. I am wholly, fully, and completely healed, thanks be to God and to Mrs. Eddy!

I had also for many years suffered with stomach and bowel trouble, the former being marked by acute suffering, but these ailments have all disappeared. I am no longer troubled with them, nor am I worried about what I am going to eat; I eat anything I wish and with no ill effects. For many years I had been in the habit of smoking. About six months ago I was completely healed of this habit by Christian Science, and since then have had no desire whatever to smoke; in fact, I never think of it unless some one calls my attention to it. In reference to the smoking I will say that I had quit it a number of times by willpower, but always retained the desire to smoke. Christian Science has completely removed this appetite and desire.

As to the spiritual benefits I have derived from a study of the Bible in connection with Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, I would say that language is inadequate to describe them. In my own consciousness there has been a wonderful transformation. I bear no more resemblance to the man of two years ago than daylight does to darkness. I have never taken any treatment from a practitioner, but all the benefits have been derived from reading the Bible and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." I want to add that for the past ten years my wife had always kept some kind of medicine in the house, but since Jan. 1, 1907, God has been our only physician. My wife has been fully and completely healed of stomach and bowel trouble, and our little girl, thirteen years of age, has healed herself of various minor ills common to children, and is perfectly well through the study of Science and Health.

How aptly the words of the psalmist, as found in the 103d Psalm, apply to my case: "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies." I thank God for revealing this wonderful truth to our dear Leader, Mrs. Eddy, that through her teaching and explanation of the Bible we may each have an understanding of God and our relationship to Him, and that through this knowledge and understanding we may be healed of all our diseases. I will gladly answer all inquiries in reference to my healing.

Charles T. Dickinson, Omaha, Neb.