Less than a century ago Mrs. Eddy made a spiritual discovery that is proving to be of inestimable value to the world. In this discovery she came face to face with a power that she had but dimly discerned theretofore. This power freed her from the effects of a severe accident. It was the same power, the Christ-power, that had enabled Jesus to heal "all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people" (Matt. 4:23).
Others might have considered such a healing as Mrs. Eddy's to be a miracle and let it go at that. But not Mrs. Eddy. She was convinced that she had discovered the operation of a spiritual law, with which the Master had been thoroughly familiar— a law that, as it was understood, would bring to humanity freedom from sin and disease. As our Leader puts it in "Retrospection and Introspection" (p. 24), "My immediate recovery from the effects of an injury caused by an accident, an injury that neither medicine nor surgery could reach, was the falling apple that led me to the discovery how to be well myself, and how to make others so."
Mrs. Eddy continued her investigations much as a physical scientist would pursue investigations in his particular field. One unfoldment led to another as Truth revealed itself to her. The Bible was her textbook. She writes in Science and Health (p. 110), "The Scriptures were illumined; reason and revelation were reconciled, and afterwards the truth of Christian Science was demonstrated."
She shared with others what was revealed to her of God, and they, in turn, were able to heal themselves as well as their friends and neighbors.
Eventually she was led to establish the Church of Christ, Scientist, and through her Manual of The Mother Church to protect Christian Science from any possible adulteration. During nearly a century this Science has healed diseases of every description, so much so that it is often thought of by those who have only a superficial knowledge of its purpose as being applicable only to physical and mental healing.
But the laws of God which bring harmony and well-being to the individual cannot be confined to the area of physical and mental healing. These laws are universal in application, being as applicable to healing the nations as to healing individuals. In fact, the Revelator refers to "the tree of life," the leaves of which are "for the healing of the nations" (Rev. 22:2). This tree symbolizes divine Science.
At a time of great need such as the present, it is important that as Christian Scientists we do our part in bringing healing to the nations. This means starting with ourselves and seeing that our attitude toward the nations of the world is one of healing. And there is no better place to start than with one's own nation. This is particularly true in countries where hotly contested elections may have a tendency to leave possible scars, which must not be allowed to become permanent.
There is much that Christian Scientists can do to bring the healing Christ to bear upon that which needs to be healed in their own nation, state, city, or town. One essential thing we can do is to maintain an appreciation of Christian Science and of what a Church of Christ, Scientist, is capable of contributing to the harmony and progress of the community it is designed to serve. An active branch church or society provides, through the lives of its members, moral and spiritual leadership. That is, it leads human thought to accept the moral and spiritual values upon which an enduring and forward-looking social order must be based.
In this respect there is great need for individual Christian Scientists to be mentally and spiritually alert not to be deceived by the mental chemicalization that accompanies basic changes in modes of thinking and living. Jesus spoke of the "distress of nations, with perplexity; ... men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken" (Luke 21:25, 26). He promised, "And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory."
A Christian Science church in a community is more than an edifice. It is an institution with a definite healing and redeeming mission. Beginning with its members, its ministrations extend into every part of the community. The significant thing about this church is that it places responsibility on its members to transform spiritual ideals into daily living.
When Christ, the spiritual idea, is active in the lives of Christian Scientists, it radiates into the community and touches the hearts of those who are in need of spiritual support. But if through apathy or selfishness, the Christ is acknowledged but not lived, its healing influence is unsought, and the community as well as the church is a loser.
An important part of the Master's ministry was to acquaint the people with the kingdom of God. Asked by the Pharisees when this kingdom would come, Jesus declared (Luke 17: 20, 21), "The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."
When the seeking of this kingdom within is of primary importance to an individual, he becomes one through whom the healing of the nations is accomplished. There is no other way for the divine will to be established on earth. Mrs. Eddy tells us in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 154): "It is the purpose of divine Love to resurrect the understanding, and the kingdom of God, the reign of harmony already within us. Through the word that is spoken unto you, are you made free. Abide in His word, and it shall abide in you; and the healing Christ will again be made manifest in the flesh—understood and glorified."
