Perhaps the question which Christian Scientists are called upon to answer more frequently than any other is, "How is it that the prayers of Christian Scientists heal, when those of members of other denominations fail, although offered with the same degree of sincerity?" This question Mrs. Eddy answers to the satisfaction of all who will turn to her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," with an unbiased mind.
In the first chapter, entitled "Prayer," Mrs. Eddy explains simply and fully this healing prayer, so that all may understand and avail themselves of it. In another chapter in her textbook she explains the spiritual nature of Science, theology, and medicine, with the result that their healing influence has been proved wonderfully efficacious throughout the world in thousands upon thousands of instances where material science, popular theology, and materia medica have failed.
An illustration of this was brought very forcibly to the attention of the writer a few years ago in the healing of a friend, a woman of advanced years. This woman had been stricken with a serious and painful disease. Her son, a well-known physician in the city in which she lived, had exhausted every means within his knowledge to relieve her. Five other physicians had struggled with the case, but she steadily grew worse, and finally all they could do for her was to keep her under the influence of drugs to relieve the pain. Now, this dear woman had always been deeply religious. Her Bible and Prayer Book were her constant companions. Besides the efforts of these faithful physicians, her beloved clergyman called on her frequently, and together they prayed earnestly for her recovery. One day, when things were at their worst, a relative recommended that she try Christian Science as a last resort, since all other means had failed. Accordingly, a Christian Science practitioner was called. Within an hour after the practitioner arrived all trace of the drug stupor had vanished, the face had assumed its natural hue, the pain had stopped, and the patient was resting peacefully. Three days later she was up and about, and it was not long before she was completely healed. The Science, theology, and medicine of Christian Science had healed her.
