The new student of Christian Science, having seen its grand results, is sometimes heard to say, "I should so like to heal others, but I don't know how to proceed toward that high goal; and besides I doubt that I should ever be good enough." But right desire is prayer, and the prayer of understanding is answered.

There is no set rule or outlined method in learning to apply the healing truths of this Science. What is required is individual growth in understanding and simple demonstrations over false beliefs. Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, gives this practical assurance (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 326): "Working and praying with true motives, your Father will open the way."

A young girl saw a member of her family who had suffered from a painful disease for many years healed through one treatment given by a Christian Science practitioner. She was so deeply impressed by this wonderful event that she resolved to study and learn how to use this spiritual method of Mind-healing. She began to study the Lesson-Sermons, outlined in the Christian Science Quarterly, and to read the Bible with the new light which this study shed upon its pages.

She early joined a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, and then The Mother Church. Soon after these steps, the illuminating experience of class instruction brought a deeper inspiration and stability to her thought. Learning the importance of a correct understanding of the letter, she saw also that the great achievement was to gain a higher sense of God as Love and to manifest this Love in unselfish affection and true compassion.

The precepts and statements in our Leaders writings were earnestly pondered. The many references to healing were of special interest to her, for she had grasped the fact that Christian Science is restoring to the world the method of healing by prayer that Christ Jesus practiced.

The student pondered the testimonies published in the Christian Science periodicals. She rejoiced in the healings, but she also observed the loving attitude on the part of those who were called upon to give treatments. She noted how quick was the response to the call for help, the worker often going to the patient's home and staying for hours until the fear and error had subsided.

She saw how reassuring were the truths so confidently voiced over the telephone or in the presence of the sufferer; how kindly and firmly the incredulous or argumentative attitude of the worried businessman, for instance, was handled. All of this gave her a high regard for the consecrated work being done in Christian Science. Later she was able to bring about healing through Science.

The question might be asked: "Why is the cure of the sick such an important factor in the teaching and practice of Christian Science?' Might not one reason be that the healing of a serious case of sickness and pain through Science is a convincing proof of God's power and of His love for man?

Christian Science treatment is communion with God; it is prayer in its deepest meaning. Treatment tends so to spiritualize human consciousness that it is enabled to behold the allness of Spirit, God, and thus to see the nothingness of so-called mortal mind, with its false beliefs of evil and materiality. It was upon his power to heal the sick and sinning that Christ Jesus established Christianity.

The youthful worker should maintain his joyous confidence, spontaneity, and freshness while advancing in understanding and experience as time goes on. Paul's advice to a missionary named Timothy (I Tim. 4:12), "Let no man despise thy youth," might serve as a warning to deny the tendency of the world to limit youth and not to think of oneself as immature.

One needs to know that man, the reflection of God, Mind, is fully developed and hence expresses intelligence, alertness, wisdom, love, and spirituality. Paul's advice continues, "But be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

One is never too young or too advanced in years to learn and to practice Christian healing. A little girl who attended Christian Science Sunday School once remarked to her teacher that only grownups were practitioners and that she wondered why there could not be little girl practitioners.

Our Leader writes in Science and Health (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!'"