Jesus distinguished himself from those who might claim to be the Christ and proved that he was the Messiah by healing the sick, cleansing the lepers, raising the dead, and casting out devils.
In the Historical Sketch (Manual of The Mother Church by Mary Baker Eddy, p. 17) we read, "At a meeting of the Christian Scientist Association, April 12, 1879, on motion of Mrs. Eddy, it was voted,—To organize a church designed to commemorate the word and works of our Master, which should reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing." This element of healing is the paramount factor in the progress of the Christian Science movement. Without it the Cause of Christian Science would crumble, and the Christ-healing would again be lost to the world. That this healing element should become universally known and used, and thus bring salvation to all mankind, is the prayer of every Christian Scientist.
The starting point for the Scientist is to recognize his true birthright as the son of God. Through understanding that he is, in reality, the reflection of his divine Father-mother, he learns to express in his daily living more of the qualities of God. He strives to manifest God's attributes through application of the truth in his affairs. He endeavors to prove the wisdom, discernment, and perspicacity of divine Mind to be his by reflection. His life grows broader, freer, more harmonious, as divine Life is recognized to be the one and only Life. As he understands Truth to be the only reality of existence, and claims this Truth to be ever present, he sees error's nothingness and finds that the healing element of Truth sets him free from all false beliefs.
