Editorial April 6, 1981 Issue

The moral qualities in healing

DeWITT JOHN

Someone reading Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures for the first time might be surprised by the opening pages of "Christian Science Practice." The chapter deals with healing the sick, yet it does not begin with specific instructions or detailed rules for treatment. As students of Christian Science know, those opening pages are devoted by the author, Mary Baker Eddy, to the encounter of Christ Jesus with the woman "which was a sinner," while he was at dinner in Simon the Pharisee's house.

The account turns our attention to certain qualities of thought expressed by the woman—her repentance, contrition, meekness, reverence; her consecration, gratitude, and human affection. It strongly emphasizes the Master's Christlike love—his compassion, purity, spiritual insight, courage, unselfish affection, and spiritual power. In other words, very little is said about the method of metaphysical treatment, in the chapter, until after the spirit of treatment has been thoroughly established.

Certainly it would be a mistake to seek the explanation of Christian Science healing in some stereotyped procedure, technique, or human outlining. Its essence is to be found in a deep and humble spirit of Christlike love and faith that reaches the heart.

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