Over seventy-five years ago Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, organized her Church on the basis of primitive Christianity, wherein the healing works of Christ Jesus and the early Christians could be reinstated. Mrs. Eddy envisioned her discovery as encompassing more than physical healing, however. In the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," speaking of the appearing of Truth's healing power, she says (p. 150): "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."
In an era when disease and disaster occupy so much of the world's thought, it is good for us to know of the healings wrought by prayer based on God's spiritual laws. Indeed, without such tangible healings, the teachings of Christian Science might be regarded as merely another theoretical and intellectual philosophy, and many in need of its ministrations would pass it by. There is cause for rejoicing as we observe the progress of the healing activity of Christian Science.
But what of "the higher mission of the Christ-power"? What can the individual do to support this further ministry of the Christ?
