In his letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul wrote (8:2), "The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." Through Christian Science the power of the spiritual law to which Paul referred has been proved many times, here and now, in the healing of false appetites.

Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of this Science, has given to the world a sure and unfailing way to overcome enslaving habits. Her revelation is truly the Comforter, which comforts those who mourn, whether the cause be sorrow, sickness, or sin. To those who face bondage of any kind, not only hope, but victory is assured when they can pray (Matt. 6:10), "Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven," and recognize that God's will is done both on earth and in heaven.

A number of years ago the writer began to smoke occasionally. Soon she became a slave to the habit, justifying herself with many familiar arguments, such as: "Who but yourself are you harming?" and, "Certainly it is more important to overcome such traits of character as resentment, temper, jealousy, and mad ambition, which affect others."

Most disarming was the argument that will must not be used, but that she must passively wait for the habit to leave of its own accord. Finally she recognized these arguments for what they were, suggestions of the devil, and she saw that it was imperative to choose between God and the habit, between peace and overwhelming remorse.

Mrs. Eddy tells us in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 218), "What renders both sin and sickness difficult of cure is, that the human mind is the sinner, disinclined to self-correction, and believing that the body can be sick independently of mortal mind and that the divine Mind has no jurisdiction over the body."

Here, the writer felt, was the key to the problem. She turned from this statement to the definition of "will," found in the Glossary of the textbook, a part of which reads (p. 597): "The motive-power of error; mortal belief; animal power. The might and wisdom of God."

The habit did not just leave, for it was like a form of hypnosis; and it was difficult for her to hear anything but its aggressive suggestions. Many times it was necessary to declare and realize and hold to the fact that "the might and wisdom of God" can correct whatever is "disinclined to self-correction" and destroy the "motive-power of error."

The complete healing came when she claimed steadfastly and wholeheartedly that she could have no other god but the one God and that having but one God, or good, is the will of God for man.

Only good can come from our yielding to the will of God instead of spending years paying tribute to a false god, whether it be sin or sickness. If we are willing to admit that "the human mind is the sinner, disinclined to self-correction," and that false appetites cannot exist "independently of mortal mind," then we can prove the powerlessess of human will when opposed quickly and persistently by the divine will.

We must replace false desire with the desire to know more of God. We must feel that all-embracing satisfaction which comes from an understanding of true selfhood, true individuality, as God's unlimited, unrestricted, and complete idea—His reflection.

What the Psalmist saw and felt centuries ago is true and provable now when it is applied specifically and faithfully to the problem at hand. He sang (Ps. 36:7, 8): "How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures."

Christ Jesus' words (Matt. 5:3), "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven," tell us clearly what God's will is for His children. He wills that they dwell in the kingdom of heaven. His will is divine law, and we are ready for His blessing when we can give up the myriad forms of self-will and recognize that the kingdom of heaven includes far more good than we could ever conceive of humanly.

When we are ready to let go of the urgent demands of materiality, when we can honestly and sincerely say, "Thy will be done," then the kingdom of heaven is ours, and the good that is poured forth far exceeds our highest human expectations.

Giving up a false sense of happiness, healing, home, supply, activity, place, and so on, opens the door to the true sense of all that constitutes man's heavenly heritage. Christ Jesus, our Master, proved this in every way, for himself as well as for others, and so did his devoted follower, Mrs. Eddy.

Through them it has been revealed to us that God does have jurisdiction over both the human mind and the human body. We can say with the Psalmist (Ps. 16:11), "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." Thus we may prove that the will of God is good.