A practitioner, of course, is one who practices. A mathematician is one who practices mathematics. A Christian Scientist is one who practices, who strives to live, the great truths of his religion. Thus everyone who has touched the hem of the healing message of Christian Science should consider himself, in the broadest sense of the word, a practitioner of Christian Science, and therefore should feel that he is about his Father's business.

Suppose a young student of Christian Science, one who is not a recognized and listed practitioner in The Christian Science Journal, is asked to heal a sick friend. Should that student decline to offer "a cup of cold water ... in the name of a disciple," to use the Master's words, because he or she is not an advertised worker in the movement? Certainly not. If to the best of his ability the student has been putting into practice the truths he has learned, he is a practicing Christian Scientist, and as such should happily and confidently respond to an appeal for aid.

Many older Christian Scientists can look back on extraordinary healing experiences in the early days of their study; and who has not heard of the beautiful work of children, whose simple, loving reliance on Truth has literally moved mountains of error? In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 457) Mary Baker Eddy has written: "Christian Science is not an exception to the general rule, that there is no excellence without labor in a direct line. One cannot scatter his fire, and at the same time hit the mark. To pursue other vocations and advance rapidly in the demonstration of this Science, is not possible." A vocation is a calling; and here the beloved Leader of the Christian Science movement indicates in unmistakable language that everyone who names the name of Christian Science must hear and heed the Master's call to become a fisher of men, to preach and to practice the truth which will make men free.

One's task, therefore, is to pursue this great vocation, no matter in what locality or human activity he may find himself. Practicing, healing Christian Scientists are needed in the marts of trade, in the school, the home, the field. Judges, lawyers, practicing Christian Science in the courts, would ensure the administration of impartial justice. One juryman, loving and practicing the Tenets of Christian Science, has been known to clear away the mist of prejudice and misunderstanding from his fellow jurors and make possible a wise and just verdict. Many a knotty business problem is speedily solved when some practicing Christian Scientist who is an executive bows his head at his desk for a moment of silent prayer. Captains of ships, engineers on trains, practicing the great truths taught by Christian Science, frequently testify to remarkable instances of divine guidance and protection. An officer in the armed forces, or a humble private or seaman, who is primarily enlisted in the great cause of ushering in the kingdom of harmony among men, can prove a mighty factor for good. And so it goes, wherever the Christ, Truth, has penetrated in human affairs.

If the happy moment has arrived when one can devote his time exclusively to the healing work, he may feel verily that he has chosen the noblest profession on earth. The student of Christian Science who has tasted the joy of witnessing to the truth about God and man, and has seen this spiritual light banish the darkness of pain, appetite, or some other form of human bondage, knows that no gift of earth can approach the worth-whileness of this precious ministry.

Mrs. Eddy devotes the first six pages of the chapter "Christian Science Practice," in Science and Health, to what may be called "the preparations of the heart," to use the Biblical expression, of the embryonic Christian Science practitioner. Here, with deft, bold, yet tender strokes, she paints the picture of the student who will be able to heal the sick. In another place in the textbook (p. 449) she writes: "Man's moral mercury, rising or falling, registers his healing ability and fitness to teach." Therefore, how wise it is for the practitioner frequently to consider his "moral mercury," his Christian attainments, checking them in the light of the pages referred to! Mrs. Eddy here warns us of the futility of attempting the Christianization of another's thought when the love taught by Jesus is lacking in the heart of the would-be healer. In fact, throughout her writings she shows the imperative need of honesty, humility, genuineness, and Christly compassion in the mental home of the one who would practice successfully Christian healing.

So in the minutest detail the alert practitioner watches lest any unloving, unchristian thought or word of his darken the path of a seeker after healing. If summoned to the bedside of a sufferer, day or night, and he is not able to respond to the call, he will make sure that some other worker will come to the rescue. If unable to take on new work and do it justice, again he will, if requested, lovingly endeavor to see that the patient's need is met elsewhere. If the practitioner is entrusted with sacred confidences by one seeking his help, the patient should have the safe, happy assurance that never will these confidences be betrayed. In fact, how blessed is he who applies for healing to the student of Christian Science who daily strives to Christianize and spiritualize his own thinking!

To the spiritually-minded, selfless, loving Christian Science practitioner, enlisted for service in this great healing ministry, these lines of Whittier seem applicable:

John Randall Dunn