Every student of the Bible knows that a large part of the four gospels is given to recording the healing work performed by Christ Jesus, and that without this concrete evidence of the healing of disease and the forgiveness of sin his teaching would be mere theory. Some religionists of to-day have taken exception to the importance Christian Scientists attach to healing; whereas the healing of disease and the forgiveness of sin to-day are the vital testimony that Christian Science is what it claims to be.

On page 92 of the Manual of The Mother Church by Mrs. Eddy we read: "Healing the sick and the sinner with Truth demonstrates what we affirm of Christian Science, and nothing can substitute this demonstration. I recommend that each member of this Church shall strive to demonstrate by his or her practice, that Christian Science heals the sick quickly and wholly, thus proving this Science to be all that we claim for it." The demonstration of healing is therefore the proof that individuals understand and are practicing Christian Science; as well as the proof which will alone satisfy humanity that Christian Science is what is claimed for it. The success of our Cause is due to the healing of sickness and sin through this spiritual method; and a Christian Science church will grow and prosper in the degree that good healing work is being accomplished by its members.

The practice of Christian Science healing is the highest service one can render to his brother. Nothing less than clear spiritual understanding directly applied to the specific error is genuine Christian Science treatment. Mere belief in God, or an intellectual perception of the teaching of Christian Science, will not heal. So-called human intelligence has never understood God. It cannot understand Him. Only the pure in heart understand God,—those whose thought is spiritualized, purified from belief in so-called evil, whether in the guise of matter, sickness, sin, or death. Spiritualized thought reflects the power and presence of divine Love; and this reflection rebukes and utterly dispels error.

Christian Science healing is the most wonderful experience that can come to the human consciousness. It is to suffering sense as the dawning light dispelling darkness, the rest of heaven replacing the restlessness of earth. It is the manifestation of the power of the words, "Thy sins be forgiven thee; ... Arise, and walk."

In many places throughout her writings our Leader points out the importance of right mental environment in healing. On page 424 of the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," she says: "It is equally important in metaphysical practice that the minds which surround your patient should not act against your influence by continually expressing such opinions as may alarm or discourage,—either by giving antagonistic advice or through unspoken thoughts resting on your patient." It is further pointed out that thousands of people have been healed through Christian Science in the place and environment where Christian Science found them; but in these instances there usually has not been any active or aggressive opposition to Christian Science by immediate family or friends. Many have been healed simply through reading the Christian Science textbook, their thought becoming so illumined thereby as to result spontaneously in the destruction of sickness or sinful habits of, perhaps, years' standing.

There are, however, a great number of cases in which an individual seeking healing through Christian Science is surrounded by conflicting and often aggressive opposition to Christian Science, and, perhaps more frequently, by doubt and fear upon the part of those who most desire a favorable result. In other instances there are not suitable conditions for caring for one struggling with a belief of sickness, and sometimes no one seems available who has the spiritual understanding which a Christian Science nurse should have, and who is at the same time properly instructed in the human details of the practical care of the sick.

It is for these needs that the Christian Science sanatorium especially provides. In a letter from Mrs. Eddy, published in the Christian Science Sentinel on October 7, 1916, after pointing out that the sanatorium is to be "a resort for invalids ... where they can go and recruit," she makes the following explanation with regard to the general purposes of the institution: "Our cause demands a wider circle of means for the ends of philanthropy and charity, and better qualifications for practical purposes. This latter lack in students of Christian Science is a great hindrance to our cause and it must be met and mastered. The students need to be qualified so that under the fire of mortal mind they can stand, and 'having done all, to stand.' (St. Paul)."

The sanatorium buildings have been erected for the purpose of providing an institution that in outward appearance is creditable, since they represent an important department of the Christian Science movement; and they have been equipped with sanitary and other appliances, as well as with furnishings which are efficient, durable, homelike, and satisfying. Within its walls is provision for every state of thought in the matter of homelike conditions: those with plenty and those with little find themselves alike harmoniously situated,—the one without a sense of lack of that which is essential to harmony, and the other without a sense of extravagance. Even with all this provision, which has been supplied through the generosity of Christian Scientists from all over the world, yet the sanatorium would be no more than a well-appointed hotel were it not for the spiritual intent behind it all, and for the spiritual inspiration under which the work is carried on.

The great and all-important part of the sanatorium is the spiritual atmosphere to be found there. Practically all the workers have been earnest students of Christian Science for some years before they are accepted as workers in whatever department. It may be there are others who can make a bed as well as the housemaids at the sanatorium, but there are few who can make beds with the loving sense of life and the spiritual understanding which they have and who are at the same time an important influence in healing the sick, not because of their conversation with guests or of their "treating" them, but because of the spiritual sense of existence which they understand, live, and express. This follows through all departments, although it is most prominent in the nursing service.

Those who are chosen for nursing work are selected, primarily, because of their earnest desire to serve in this branch of the healing work of Christian Science. Every nurse must have a good understanding of Christian Science, and have sufficiently demonstrated this understanding in his or her own life, so as to commend such a one to those who have the selection of these workers. In the case of the nurses, as well as all other helpers at the sanatorium, each one is required to make that demonstration of Christian Science in his own life which will enable him to work lovingly and cooperatively with other workers, supervisors, and heads of departments; and it is a rule that no worker is retained at the sanatorium who does not come up to this requirement.

This explanation is made for the purpose of enabling Christian Scientists to recognize that the work of the Christian Science sanatorium is a Christianly metaphysical and spiritual work, and that those who come to the sanatorium for healing should understand that it is not merely a pleasant home in which they are to be lovingly and wonderfully taken care of in the matter of human needs, but a sacred place to which they come for the purpose of being more shielded from the material thought of the world, and where there will be no opposing influence to hinder their receiving the healing so much desired.

At the same time, it should be understood that the most spiritual environment in the world cannot take the place of the individual's own hungering and thirsting after righteousness. It cannot take the place of a good Christian Science practitioner, who applies his understanding of Christian Science to overcoming the specific error which is attacking the patient. It will be found a place such as Mrs. Eddy unquestionably had in thought, where an individual can be assured of loving-kindness, the best of care, and a spiritual environment wherein not only is it recognized that "with God all things are possible," but the things of God are expected to be made manifest in health, holiness, and eternality.

Copyright, 1924, by The Christian Science Publishing Society, Falmouth and St. Paul Streets, Boston, Massachusetts. Entered at Boston post office as second-class matter. Accepting for mailing at a special rate of postage provided for in section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized on July 11, 1913.