Is Christian Science nursing really necessary?

For those who have witnessed its healing benefits or enjoyed a rewarding career as a nurse the question is heartily answered "yes!" But for others it may present a contradiction of terms. They may not understand the connection between the words "Christian Science" and "nurse."

Christian Science nursing is synonymous with caring for humanity in a Christianly scientific way, and it is vital for us to understand its purpose and function. This care supports those who are depending radically on Christian Science treatment for healing. Nursing is a divinely inspired activity provided for by Mrs. Eddy in the Manual of The Mother Church. Here she states, "A member of The Mother Church who represents himself or herself as a Christian Science nurse shall be one who has a demonstrable knowledge of Christian Science practice, who thoroughly understands the practical wisdom necessary in a sick room, and who can take proper care of the sick." ^{Man., Art. VIII, Sect. 31.}

Christ Jesus set the standard for all healing and human caring. Even on the cross he showed this care. Looking at his mother and his beloved disciple, he said to John, "Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home." ^{John 19:27.}

To follow the example of Christ Jesus is to care for and love mankind, including our own family and church members. It is to express compassionate helpfulness and deep spirituality.

The largeness of Christian thought as opposed to pettiness of character should mark a Christian Science nurse. In Science and Health, next to the marginal heading "Aids in sickness," are these words of Mrs. Eddy's: "The nurse should be cheerful, orderly, punctual, patient, full of faith,—receptive to Truth and Love." ^{Science and Health, p. 395.} These qualities are based on synonyms for God such as Principle, Mind, Soul, Spirit, and Truth.

The word "nurse" is related to the Latin "to nourish or to feed." Jesus demonstrated this figuratively and literally. Not only did he provide spiritual nourishment for his followers; he also fed the multitudes, refusing to send them away into the villages to find food.

Because man is the spiritual image and likeness of God, always perfect and complete, there is in reality never a time when he hungers, falls, suffers, sins, or deteriorates. But we need to prove this humanly. We must be thorough and wise in rebuking the carnal mind's denial that Christian Scientists ignore their family or fellow church members. Mrs. Eddy's provision for nursing is a practical proof that Christian Scientists do care.

There may be great help in having a nurse present in a case where the patient is relying wholly on Christian Science for healing. The Christian Science practitioner on the case provides specific treatment through prayer. The nurse provides basic physical care for the patient and prayerfully, constantly works to maintain in his or her own thought the true perception of man as God's image and likeness.

Jesus' lament "Could ye not watch with me one hour?" ^{Matt. 26:40.} rings to waken thought from any apathy. We can heed the lesson in regard to caring for our fellow Christian Scientists. Individually, whether we're the nurse, the practitioner, or the patient, or a church member seeking to support this activity of church, we can know that the wisdom, love, and intelligence of Mind underlie the activities of nursing work and of sanatoriums for Christian Scientists.

Even if we found ourselves temporarily without human nursing help when we needed it, divine Love, God, would be there, filling all our moments with His love. Love meets our every need. God cares for His ideas. Divine Love surrounds, sustains, maintains, and cherishes His children. We cannot be left comfortless, for we have the Comforter, divine Science. The highest sense of nursing nourishes by manifesting this Comforter—sharing with humanity God's law of good and expressing Christliness, which calms, regenerates, and heals body and thought.