A Double Cure.
"At the age of twelve years I commenced to use tobacco, and continued to
use it, both smoking and chewing, till five years ago, when in answer to
prayer the appetite was instantly removed.
"The circumstances were as follows: I had tried many ways to leave off
the use of tobacco, but the appetite was so strong that I could not
withstand it. At one time I left it off for a month, but not a day
passed but I
raved it, and when I did begin again it tasted as good as
ever. I found that tobacco was injuring my health. My nervous system was
much deranged.
"For more than a year before I left it off there was scarcely a night
but I lay for two or three hours, before I could go to sleep. I resolved
a great many times I would leave off, but always failed. I had also
acquired the habit of drinking, and became a confirmed drunkard.
"I knew the habits were killing me, but I was powerless to stop. One
evening a prayer-meeting was appointed at my house. The minister in his
remarks spoke about habits, and said that religion would cure all bad
habits, such as tobacco, &c., and that by prayer God would remove all
evil appetites.
"I thought but little about it that night; was very careless and
trifling about it. The next morning I took out my tobacco to take a
chew, and thought of what the minister had said the night before. It was
a new idea to me. I put the tobacco in my pocket again, and said, '_I'll
try it_.'
"_I was alone in my barn; I kneeled down and asked God to remove the
appetite from me. It was done. I was cured_. I felt it. I knew it then.
I have never had a desire for it since. There has been no hankering for
it or for strong drink since. My sins were all forgiven, and I was made
a new man all over, inside and outside.
"When I go into company where they are smoking, I have no desire for it
at all, neither have I for drinking, any more than if I had never had
those habits. _My nervous difficulty was also instantly cured_. No more
trouble about sleeping, and I know that Jesus can heal and remove and
destroy all evil habits."