THE VIEW FROM THE MOUNTAIN

ONE of the wondrous aspects of mountain climbing is the glory of the view from an uppermost point. Spiritual perfection is the view and the goal that mankind is constantly, though often unconsciously, seeking. Christian Science aids humanity to gain this view through the understanding of man's true spiritual status as the reflection of God. This understanding will bring progressively into one's present experience the good that all men so earnestly desire.

These encouraging words of Mrs. Eddy inspire all who are daily praying and working to see their real nature (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 206): "Beloved students, you have entered the path. Press patiently on; God is good, and good is the reward of all who diligently seek God. Your growth will be rapid, if you love good supremely, and understand and obey the Way-shower, who, going before you, has scaled the steep ascent of Christian Science, stands upon the mount of holiness, the dwelling-place of our God, and bathes in the baptismal font of eternal Love."

As one studies the Bible and the writings of Mrs. Eddy and persistently puts into daily practice the truths they contain, false beliefs are put off, and divine ideas, which heal and bless, are welcomed into consciousness. One's life becomes more harmonious, physical discord gives way to wholeness, and joyous expectancy of good replaces fearful foreboding. One is thus seeing the view—spiritual perfection—and is witnessing the healing results in human experience.

What can the student of Science do in order to bring this spiritual view into sharper focus? Mrs. Eddy writes in Science and Health (p. 316), "The real man being linked by Science to his Maker, mortals need only turn from sin and lose sight of mortal selfhood to find Christ, the real man and his relation to God, and to recognize the divine sonship."

As one daily strives to gain and maintain this view, it is well to remember that man ever remains at a constant standpoint of spiritual completeness. In spite of the many obstacles which may appear on the path, the utter unreality of each must be recognized. No credence can be given to false beliefs of want and deprivation, no authority can be vested in disease, no might can be given to sin or death, no reality can be granted a single one of the myriad illusions that attempt to hinder our journey from the sense dream of life in matter to spiritual reality.

The example of Christ Jesus, our blessed Way-shower, must ever be before us. The master Christian never accepted as real any discordant condition. He healed it. The blind saw, the lepers were cleansed, the lame walked, the sick were raised up, and the multitudes were fed, for he constantly acknowledged spiritual perfection, neither recognizing nor accepting matter or material appearances. Instead, he claimed his own and every individual's unity with divine Spirit as it exists in Science. His life confirmed his statement (John 10:30), "I and my Father are one."

The Saviour's crucifixion and subsequent resurrection prove beyond cavil that he was fully aware of his perfect spiritual status. His unfaltering faith and understanding of his eternal perfection as the Son of God are indicated in these words spoken at the close of his earthly mission (John 17:5): "O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was."

In order to move steadily forward toward the view of pure spiritual reality, the sincere seeker must be willing to lay aside the weight of false mortal beliefs and become more receptive to the truths of spiritual existence. Fear must be cast out of thought and replaced with courage and confidence. Love of his true being, as well as of his fellow men, must overthrow hatred, envy, criticism, resentment, and revenge. Praise and thanksgiving for the blessings being received and the spiritual rewards being reaped must take the place of grumbling, irritability, and dissatisfaction.

God must be seen and acknowledged as the only power, the only presence, the All-in-all, supreme over every discord. Evil must be understood as unreal, untrue, undesirable, unwanted, unlawful, unable to act through or as God's idea. These words must be translated into mental action (Science and Health, p. 393): "Rise in the strength of Spirit to resist all that is unlike good. God has made man capable of this, and nothing can vitiate the ability and power divinely bestowed on man."

It is the denial of all error and the affirmation of the supremacy of Spirit which help us on our way to a fuller understanding of spiritual perfection. It is the putting off of all ungodlike thinking and the willing acceptance of ever-present good which help establish our feet on the true path.

Let us be ever mindful of our lofty goal and keep thought joyous, confident, receptive, and ready to give up every burden which would impede our progress Spirit-ward, As we read in the twelfth chapter of Hebrews, "Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." Through the understanding of God as perfect infinite Spirit and of man as His loved image and likeness, the way grows brighter, and reality becomes clearer in consciousness.

A loved hymn in the Christian Science Hymnal (No. 64) uplifts thought to a glorious realization that it is within the scope of every devoted seeker of Truth to behold spiritual perfection—the view from the mountain: