Over the years, I heard much about Christian Science nursing from my mother-in-law, who had trained at the Christian Science Benevolent Association at Chestnut Hill as a young woman during World War II. My first personal encounter with Christian Science nursing was a very special experience when my daughter was in elementary school. The child had what appeared to be an infection on the outside of her ear. A teacher expressed concern, and my daughter was frightened. In addition to my immediately praying about the situation, a Christian Science nurse in the area agreed to bandage the ear, which comforted both my daughter and me. When my daughter went to school the next day, she was able to tell her teacher that the ear had been bandaged by a Christian Science nurse. As a result, there was no more concern from the teacher, and the ear healed quickly. Later, our family was so comforted when our mother was cared for lovingly in a Christian Science nursing facility.
The spiritual qualities Christian Science nurses express can be helpful in our own care for and support of each other.
I was very happy to attend a recent meeting on Christian Science nursing sponsored by The Mother Church. The following message from Mary Baker Eddy to one of her students was shared, and touched my heart: “ ‘Little children love one another’ … you must love all. No matter if they persecute you even, you must love all. But you must love especially the brethren. You must meet with them, cheer them, in their labors, point the way of love to them and show them it by loving first, and waiting patiently for them to be in this great step by your side, loving each other and walking together. This is what the world must see before we can convince the world of the truths of Christian Science” (Yvonne Caché von Fettweis and Robert Townsend Warneck, Mary Baker Eddy: Christian Healer, Amplified Edition, p. 166). These ideas caused me to sincerely wish to express love to all more deeply, and especially to my fellow branch Church of Christ, Scientist, members.
