In the degree that one puts Christian Science into practice one is a practitioner of Christian Science, whether one is just beginning the study of this religion or has been studying for many years. After all, "practitioner" simply means one who exercises his profession or calling. All, therefore, who honestly and sincerely put into practice the rules of Christian Science are practitioners. The more one practices, the more proficient one becomes, as in any other profession, until one is able, to an increasing extent, to undertake the healing of others.
Although we all long to help others, we may shrink from the implied responsibility of actually healing the sick and restoring the sinner. Yet, in fact, it is the responsibility of all Christians to do so. This is what Christ Jesus taught. Mrs. Eddy writes in Science and Health: "Jesus said: 'These signs shall follow them that believe; . . . they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.' Who believes him? He was addressing his disciples, yet he did not say, 'These signs shall follow you,' but them—'them that believe' in all time to come."Science and Health, p. 38;
Why do so many of us feel reluctant to undertake this work? Perhaps a false sense of responsibility may hold us back. Yet it is not we as human beings who heal the sick. In Christian Science, it is God alone, the divine Mind, which is the healing and regenerative power, and man is the expression of God. We can always safely leave the responsibility with Him. Human thought is never the healer, although it may comfort and encourage. Spiritual healing, as practiced in Christian Science, does not come about through any form of thought transference or through one person's thought dominating another person's thought. The exertion of human effort or willpower by which a sick person is persuaded that he is well is mesmerism, not Christian Science. Spiritual healing is purely spiritual. No human element enters into it.
