WHO SHOULD HEAL THE SICK?

Throughout the Bible the presence, power, and love of God are shown in healing. The Psalmist tells of God's love for man in the tender and beautiful lines (Ps. 103:2, 3 ), "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases."

Christ Jesus gave the same sign of the presence of God by healing the sick. And in the tenth chapter of Matthew we read that he gathered his twelve disciples together and gave them power, through his instruction, to destroy evil and to heal all types of disease. He sent them out into the world, commanding them to "heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons" (verse 8 , Rev. Ver.).

Mary Baker Eddy so valued these four short phrases that she used them on the cover of all her books and periodicals. And they should serve to remind every student of Christian Science of what is expected of him. Mrs. Eddy proved Christian Science by healing. As Jesus sent forth his followers to heal, and gave them much helpful instruction as to their conduct, so our beloved Leader expected her followers to heal. In the Church Manual she gives her students Rules and By-Laws to guide them. Her statement in Article XXX, Section 7, leaves no doubt as to the duty of church members. It reads: "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." We all know that healing is the cornerstone of our church and is necessary for the continued success and advancement of Christian Science.

Perhaps the following remarks will have a familiar ring to many of us: "I would be too fearful to give a treatment to anyone." "I haven't enough understanding." "Besides, no one would come to me for help." Let us consider for a moment what a Christian Science treatment really is. First of all, it is prayer, communication with God. It is the calm realization that God, the divine Mind, is the only cause and creator, infinite Life, Truth, and Love. It is understanding that man is God's image and likeness, expressing all of God's qualities and attributes and nothing else. It includes the firm denial of moral mind's presence or claims on the basis of the allness of immortal Mind and infinite good. One should not fear to accept these truths about God and man and to apply them specifically to meet another's need. In each case it is most important to see the perfect man and to deny that there is a sick or sinful mortal who needs to be made healthy and good. This scientific practice is truly loving our fellow man, and it is Love which heals.

There is an answer and a remedy for any negative condition of thought regarding the work of healing the sick. It is set forth in our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," where Mrs. Eddy writes (p.454 ): "Love for God and man is the true incentive in both healing and teaching. Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way. Right motives give pinions to thought, and strength and freedom to speech and action."

The one who opens his thought to willingness to give Christian Science treatments with consecration and love and knows that there is in Science no sickness, because of the allness of God, will find the sick and weary coming to his door. Even a little understanding, if attended by humility and sincerity, will heal, so powerful is the Word and love of God. Indeed, many outstanding cases of healing are brought about by new and earnest students. It is well to watch that we be not mesmerized into believing that we cannot heal. Would Jesus have given us that imperative command, "Heal the sick," and would Mrs. Eddy have reiterated it, if we could not do it? We can heal, and no argument of aggressive mental Suggestion can prevent the success of our God-inspired work.

When one is asked for help in Christian Science, it does not inspire confidence in the patient's thought to say, "I'm not a practitioner, but I'll do what I can." Should we not rather rejoice in the opportunity and hail it with humble gratitude and confidence? Even if one is occupied with a business, profession, or family ties and duties, he still has the privilege of making his understanding practical and increasing it by healing others. He can be alert to take advantage of every experience that tends in that direction. Voicing the truth carefully and sympathetically to friend a in need who asks for some regarding Christian Science is often a first step; teaching in Sunday School is a splendid preparation; so is nursing a case under the care of a practitioner.

By helping to reassure a new student during a trying experience and encouraging her to trust the treatment being given her by the practitioner, one Christian Scientist felt that he was taking a step toward the practice. The following was his experience. A young woman, known to the writer, had asked a practitioner for treatment for what seemed a very serious malady, but during the night the ailment became alarmingly worse. Because the practitioner resided many miles from the ranch where the patient lived, she did not feel that she could ask her to come out so far and so late at night. The patient's fear seemed very great, and her husband at last called up a man who he had heard was a Scientist to ask his advice as to what to do. This man, who lived some miles away, said, "I'll come right over." He came and stayed for hours, reading and stating audibly the truth of spiritual being, thus helping to quiet the fear. When the error subsided and the grateful couple tried to thank this good friend, he said in effect: "Don't thank me. This was an opportunity for me. I hope to be a practitioner some day, and I am preparing by being helpful in applying the truths taught by this Science wherever I can."

This quick decision to respond to a call for help might serve as a hint not to delay when opportunity knocks at our door. Two verses from a hymn accentuate this thought (Hymnal, No. 92):

When Jesus said that "the harvest truly is plenteous," he added, "But the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest" (Matt. 9:37, 38 ). Mrs. Eddy voices the same message when she reminds us that multitudes are ready and waiting for the healing truth (see Science and Health 570:14). Who should go forth into these fields, taking the healing truth? Are they not your fields and mine? Only Christian Science can destroy evil, because it alone teaches the unreality of evil. There is no hope of ever really destroying evil while it is believed real. Through patient beginnings in healing, one's understanding will become immeasurably larger and the Scientist will find that he has had a foretaste of heaven. It is the way of Progress. Does not our Leader say in answer to the question as to how to progress most rapidly in Science (Science and Health, p. 496 ): "Ask yourself: Am I living the life that approaches the supreme good? Am I demonstrating the healing power of Truth and Love? If so, the way will grow brighter 'unto the perfect day.' Your fruits will prove what the understanding of God brings to man."