Many people visit the Christus Gardens in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, each year. Here religious scenes depicting great moments in the life of Christ Jesus may be viewed. These scenes have the appearance of reality because of life-size wax figures which are used to portray the personages. One scene presents that incident in the Master's career when the devil tempted him to deny his sonship with God, worship the devil, and thereby gain the glories of the world.
A student of Christian Science, standing before this exhibition, was interested in the craftsman's concept of the devil. Had the figure been fashioned after the conventional concept of a devil with horns, tail, and flaming red cape, it would have received not a passing glance. But this devil was presented as a very handsome man. His magnetic eyes drew the attention of the onlooker to himself. His attractive personality all but overshadowed the figure portraying the good and pure Christ Jesus.
This vivid presentation of the devil coming in the form of a person, hypnotically suggesting that the material personality of a mortal is attractive and powerful, continues to be an object lesson for the student.
