Article August 28, 1954 Issue

LET US EXERCISE OUR ABILITY TO HEAL

DOROTHY FREDA DANCE

Sometimes when a young student of Christian Science is counseled to apply his own understanding of the truth to a situation that calls for healing, he appears amazed at the thought, yet in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mary Baker Eddy states (p. 37): "It is possible,—yea, it is the duty and privilege of every child, man, and woman,—to follow in some degree the example of the Master by the demonstration of Truth and Life, of health and holiness. Christians claim to be his followers, but do they follow him in the way that he commanded? Hear these imperative commands: 'Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect!' 'Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature!' 'Heal the sick!'"

What is it that makes us postpone this glorious privilege of taking part in the work of healing? It may be the latent belief that the gift of healing is meant only for a special group of people who possess powers not usually attributable to the general run of mankind. God is universal in the bestowal of His gifts, and since in reality spiritual understanding belongs to all of His ideas, we can demonstrate that understanding of His power which heals. Let us not be fooled into believing that our understanding of Truth is so small that it is useless or presumptuous for us to attempt to use it on behalf of ourselves or others. Our Leader provides the answer to this suggestion where she says in "Pulpit and Press" (pp. 3, 4): "Perchance some one of you may say, The evidence of spiritual verity in me is so small that I am afraid. I feel so far from victory over the flesh that to reach out for a present realization of my hope savors of temerity. Because of my own unfitness for such a spiritual animus my strength is naught and my faith fails.' O thou 'weak and infirm of purpose.' Jesus said, 'Be not afraid'!

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