Are Christian Science Nursing Facilities Relevant?

In 1909, Mrs. Eddy wrote to the Christian Science Board of Directors and asked them to "vote on the adoption of the following by-law, and, if adopted, publish it in our periodicals and in the Church Manual". The proposed by-law read: "The Mother Church shall establish and maintain a Christian Science resort for the so-called sick". (Christian Science Sentinel, vol. 19, p. 110)

Clearly, Mrs. Eddy felt that Christian Scientists required their own nursing facility. The fact that this request was in the form of a by-law suggests that it carried extra power. Each by-law, she writes, was "impelled by a power not one's own" in order to provide "a help that must be supplied to maintain the dignity and defense of our Cause" (Church Manual 3:7)

In obedience, the Directors passed the nursing facility by-law. However, they very shortly asked Mrs. Eddy whether they might postpone such a major undertaking and rescind the by-law. Mrs. Eddy replied that if the Church were not yet ready for this step, she was "willing to let this matter rest for the present". (Christian Science Sentinel, vol. 19, p110)

The Board did not forget. In 1916 they decided to build a Christian Science nursing facility, making it clear that this was done in obedience to Mrs. Eddy's request.

Writing of this step, Mrs. Eddy's former Secretary, Adam Dickey, said (Christian Science Sentinel, vol. 19, p. 303):
"Our leader was for many years deeply impressed with the thought that the Christian Science movement should have places where people suffering from ills of various sorts could retire for treatment, rest and recuperation. The members of Mrs. Eddy's household who ministered to her needs have heard her many times express herself quite freely on this subject. She knew that patients under Christian Science treatment were at times placed in a position where they needed the care and attention of a skillfully trained person who was also a Christian Scientist. Her own experience had shown her the great need for a place of refuge to which sufferers could retire, and where they could received proper care and attention as well as freedom from criticism while under Christian Science treatment. The purpose which the Directors of The Mother Church seek to accomplish in organizing the Christian Science Benevolent Association is one that is in direct obedience to our Leaderís wishes and which had for a long time been uppermost in her thought."

Christian Scientists expect instantaneous healings - and rightly so. Should a case not yield, our Leader counsels that we should "early call an experienced Christian Scientist" for aid. If we are hesitant to do so, she adds, we should "know that error cannot produce this unnatural reluctance" (Science and Health p. 420:4). Practitioners and nurses hold office or spiritual import in accordance with Manual by-laws and are part of Loveís provision for the "the dignity and defense of our Cause."

We invite you to join us in a renewed commitment to Christian Science nursing and in a higher sense of our Leaderís purpose for a Christian Science nursing facility. Your support of this Christian mission of mercy is greatly appreciated.