Restoration and renewal of body come through restoration of thought. Restoration appears not through a process of rejuvenation of matter, but through seeing only the real man, the creation of Spirit, who has always existed and whom God pronounced good.

In "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" Mary Baker Eddy writes (p. 218), "Neither the Old nor the New Testament furnishes reasons or examples for the destruction of the human body, but for its restoration to life and health as the scientific proof of 'God with us.'" Surely such a statement opens to every student of Christian Science fresh vistas of good to be gained from reliance on God's power.

One dictionary definition of the word "restoration" is "renewal." The student realizes that renewal comes through centering thought not on the human body and its physical aspects, but on right mental activity. As thought is set free through higher and purer views, then is the body set free. When clogging, obstructive beliefs of mortal mind are eliminated, restoration is experienced, and good health becomes the rule.

The beautiful healing works of Christ Jesus, recorded in the New Testament, give us many examples wherein sufferers were instantaneously restored to health. In Luke (6:6-10) we read of the man with the withered hand who, through the Master's understanding of the truth of being, found his hand "restored whole as the other."

In studying this healing, we shall find it interesting to note the patient's part in the experience. Jesus' initial instruction was, "Rise up, and stand forth in the midst." This may have been something of a test and was perhaps the first step in the healing as sensitiveness and timidity were replaced by meekness and faith. Then when the direct command came in Jesus' words, "Stretch forth thy hand," he was ready. With unquestioning obedience he followed the command, and complete restoration was witnessed by all.

The accounts of restoration to health and harmony narrated in the Bible often come to one's thought in helpful ways and at unexpected moments. A young boy who attended a Christian Science Sunday School told his teacher at the close of a session that his little sister had hurt her arm. It was not clear whether the arm was broken or not, but she could not use it. The teacher kindly said that the parents could have Christian Science treatment for the child and that the condition could be healed.

The boy took the good news home, and the father called a practitioner. He asked her if she would come to their home, for they knew very little of Christian Science. The Scientist gladly responded. Arriving at the home, she found the child's arm hanging limp.

As the conversation and explanations progressed, the practitioner, silently reaching out for divine guidance, was led to say to the little one: "Do you know what Jesus said to the man with a hurt hand? He said, 'Stretch forth thy hand.' You can say that too."

Promptly the little girl repeated the words in her own baby language and with many nods of the head. Both she and the practitioner had repeated the words several times, when the brother exclaimed, "See, see, she is using it!"

In his childlike faith he was the first to observe the response in the babe, who had begun taking up some of her blocks and building with them. Thus faith in the healing presence and power of Truth was established in the home, and by the next day complete restoration was experienced.

Mrs. Eddy writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (pp. 323,324), "Willingness to become as a little child and to leave the old for the new, renders thought receptive of the advanced idea." It is evident, then, that in order to experience restoration through spiritual means, one needs to be receptive to the healing truth. A child does not question just how the restoration is to appear. He is willing and happy, right where he is at the moment, to accept the freedom gained through the power of the Christ.

The adult may find it necessary to awaken from a false sense of restoration. He has perhaps thought of restoration as a return to old scenes, old friends, and what had formerly seemed joyous times. The consistent Christian Scientist, always seeking a clearer spiritual understanding, abides by the words of Paul, found in the sixth chapter of II Corinthians, "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."

The Scientist knows that he can ill afford to look backward longingly into a material past, or wish to see it brought into his present experience. In order to be restored to health and harmony, he learns to entertain gratitude for the spiritual blessings of the present moment. With rejoicing he sheds the erroneous beliefs that have seemed to hide the original perfection of God's man, and, as the light of the healing truth dawns ever more clearly in his consciousness, he sees that this perfect man is the only man that is or ever has been.

We hear of antiques and works of art being restored to their original beauty and perfection. As the skilled craftsman removes the grime that has partially concealed the art treasure, so the Christian Scientist wipes out of consciousness thoughts of doubt, fear, personality, and other errors that have accumulated to form a false presentment. As he casts out these errors, he begins to find himself restored and whole, expressing the harmony which is truly his as the image and likeness of his Maker.

When our entire mentality is given over to helpful, loving, truthful thoughts and when fear, hate, discouragement, or other impostors are refused audience in consciousness, healing is inevitable. If we are willing and obedient, persistent and honest in our efforts to think and act rightly, restoration is ours.

Reviewing our Leader's words, with their healing upsurge, quoted at the beginning of this article, we are reassured in our stand for Truth. We are uplifted and sustained as we remember to rejoice in the promise so beautifully expressed in the third verse of the twenty-third Psalm, as interpreted by Mrs. Eddy on page 578 of Science and Health as follows: "[Love] restoreth my soul [spiritual sense]."