Mary Baker Eddy writes in "Rudimental Divine Science" (p. 9), "The spiritual power of a scientific, right thought, without a direct effort, an audible or even a mental argument, has oftentimes healed inveterate diseases." And Christian Science shows that the spiritual power of scientific right thinking is available to all who sincerely seek it with unselfish humility, faith, and purity.
The method of Christian Science is simple. It involves replacing false material beliefs with spiritual truths, substituting spiritual ideas for their counterfeits, or mortal thoughts. This requires spiritual understanding, however. In order more fully to understand the basic propositions of divine metaphysics and the power of divine Love, one must gain spiritual sense and the true consciousness, which is unaffected and undisturbed by any falsities of material existence. The gaining of spiritual understanding through consecrated living, prayer, and study seems to require time; and this scientific consciousness is needed to attain instantaneous healings in every case.
While this redemptive process is going on, there may be human needs which have to be met. Our Leader made provision for the human need when she instituted the office of "Christian Science Nurse" in Article VIII, Section 31, of the Manual of The Mother Church. This By-Law requires that "a member of The Mother Church who represents himself or herself as a Christian Science nurse shall be one who has a demonstrable knowledge of Christian Scicnce practice, who thoroughly understands the practical wisdom necessary in a sick room, and who can take proper care of the sick."
