THE Psalmist declared (Ps. 130:7, 8): "Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities." While Christian Science lays important emphasis on the healing of physical disease, Mary Baker Eddy, its Discoverer and Founder, throughout her writings seeks to awaken the thought of the reader and student to an appreciation of the need for individual redemption in order that one may be able to heal. On page 150 of her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," she writes, "To-day the healing power of Truth is widely demonstrated as an immanent, eternal Science, instead of a phenomenal exhibition. Its appearing is the coming anew of the gospel of 'on earth peace, goodwill toward men.' This coming, as was promised by the Master, is for its establishment as a permanent dispensation among men; but the mission of Christian Science now, as in the time of its earlier demonstration, is not primarily one of physical healing. Now, as then, signs and wonders are wrought in the metaphysical healing of physical disease; but these signs are only to demonstrate its divine origin,—to attest the reality of the higher mission of the Christ power to take away the sins of the world."
Christ Jesus, the Way-shower, and our Leader both taught and proclaimed the necessity of regeneration. From beginning to end the redemptive idea stands out in the Bible and in our textbook, as well as all of Mrs. Eddy's other writings. She declares that spiritual ignorance must be recognized and corrected before we can demonstrate health and harmony in our lives and actually show forth a knowledge of the Christ. Self-knowledge, she tells us, is requisite if there is to be real spiritual growth. She also makes it clear that the only correct approach to redemption must be through the understanding and maintenance of man's present and forever perfection, man's true and eternal spiritual being. It is the consciousness of infinite perfection that heals. It is the reflection of the same Mind that was in Christ Jesus and the revelation of man's true selfhood that enable one to fully demonstrate individual redemption.
All earnest Christian Scientists are working toward that goal where in every instance the demonstration of the divine presence will be instantaneously evidenced in healing. They recognize that individual redemption underlies one's ability to heal. They learn in Science that divine facts become active and fulfill their mission only in the consciousness of those who are truly spiritually-minded.
