The excessive use of cigarettes...

Earl H. Smith

The excessive use of cigarettes and alcohol had several years been causing frequent "burrs" in my voice. As a radio announcer and frequent public speaker, I was caused embarrassment and discomfort by this. At first this hoarseness occurred perhaps three or four times a year. Eventually, however, the condition became continuous.

Many times, by the exercise of human will power, I had discontinued the use of either alcohol or tobacco for a few days or even weeks. At one time I neither smoked nor drank for six months. However, the craving was always present, and at times abstinence seemed to reach a point of torture.

Inspired by the wonderful healing results experienced by my wife and our two young children, I felt an urgent desire to become a member of a branch Church of Christ, Scientist. But because I was addicted to the use of tobacco and alcohol, the privilege of church membership was denied me.

A Christian Science practitioner to whom I turned for help counseled me to rely on prayer, explaining that an earnest desire for good would not go unheeded by God. I resorted to prayer and study for weeks, but there was no apparent change in my desire for or use of cigarettes or alcoholic beverages.

One night I attended a wedding party for the son of a business associate. I indulged quite freely. Strangely though, on my way home, there came to me clearly an assurance that I need never smoke or drink again. Even in this state of partial inebriation, I knew that the answer to my prayers had come. I was able to say to my wife, "I have had my last drink and cigarette." My own conviction of this convinced her too that the healing had been accomplished.

I relied completely on God for my healing. There was no discomfort, no craving or strong desire. My only concern was in relation to business. Much business that I procured for our firm had, I believed, been encouraged by my buying of drinks for the prospects and customers. However, instead of business being lost because of my stand neither to buy nor offer liquor to old customers or new prospects, sales increased. My healing of the liquor and tobacco habit and the release from hoarseness took place eleven years ago. There has been no recurrence of either discord.

Our family places complete reliance on the understanding of Christian Science for the solving of all of our problems. We know that in proportion as we let God, the one and only Mind, govern, we are freed from all burdens.

I am grateful for membership in The Mother Church, in a branch church, and for class instruction. I am also grateful for the glorious privilege of presently serving as First Reader; but I am more especially grateful that through our revered Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, there has been provided for each of us a storehouse of spiritual treasures upon which we can draw to solve any problem or to meet any emergency.—Earl H. Smith, New Orleans, Louisiana.

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