IN Christian Science, metaphysical healing stands for that divine order of spiritual law indicated by the healings recorded in the Bible, both before and after the Christian era began. The healing of the Shunammite woman's son, the recovering of Naaman "of his leprosy," the experience of the man lame from birth who was healed at the gate Beautiful, and of the father of Publius, governor of Melita, whom Paul healed "of a fever and of a bloody flux"—all alike prove the existence of a spiritual law that heals the sick. The most perfect and complete expression of this law is found in the life and works of the great Metaphysician, Christ Jesus. For not only did he prove his own ability to heal the sick, but he taught others to do so, stating that the one requisite for the accomplishment of this work was to believe on him, that is to say, on the Christ. "This is the work of God," he said, "that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." Furthermore he declared, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father."
In the Manual of The Mother Church, beginning on page 17, is a brief "Historical Sketch" in which Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, explains the organization of The Mother Church as "designed to commemorate the word and works of our Master, which should reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing;" and she also speaks of "The Mother Church—the chief corner-stone whereof is, that Christian Science, as taught and demonstrated by our Master, casts out error, heals the sick, and restores the lost Israel: for 'the stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner.'" Christian Science teaches what Jesus taught, and its practice is based on the scientific understanding that God is Spirit, Mind, and man His image and likeness, therefore spiritual.
Any intelligent discussion of metaphysical healing must rest on the corner stone of divine law, as taught and demonstrated by Christ Jesus. From the third century this divine method of healing seemed to have been lost, but it was again discovered and brought to light in the middle of the nineteenth century by Mary Baker Eddy; and a complete exposition of it may be found in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," of which she is the author. Thus we have invariable rules governing metaphysical healing; and these rules can be scientifically demonstrated by those who have some spiritual understanding of them. Starting from this standpoint, we can take up the question of metaphysical healing at the point of Jesus' demonstrations, finding our authority in his unequivocal demand, "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils."
