Editorial October 17, 1914 Issue

Mountain Climbing

Annie M. Knott

In reading the Bible, one is impressed by the numerous references to hills and mountains, these being mainly used to symbolize mental and spiritual exaltation. Thus we find the psalmist asking, "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?" And the answer begins, "He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart." Humanly speaking, the ascent of mountains is usually undertaken by those of a brave adventurous spirit for the pure joy of the experience, and those best fitted for such attempts gain their fitness by heeding in some measure Paul's advice about keeping the body in subjection. The enervated, sluggish thought would be ill qualified for mountain climbing, or any other brave endeavor, either on the physical plane or the spiritual; therefore we need to get rid of the tendencies which hold mortals down to mere earthliness, and at any cost strive after the attainment of man's divine endowment of purity, health, hardihood, strength, and endurance, for without these the higher altitudes cannot be gained.

In this upward journey from sense to Soul the Christian Scientist should ofttimes pause to recall our revered Leader's words respecting "them who love God," namely, "Stately Science pauses not, but moves before them, a pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night, leading to divine heights" (Science and Health, p. 566). Many who come to Christian Science are in the plight of Lot and his family, when the call of Truth aroused them in the face of impending destruction, with the warning, "Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, . . . escape to the mountains, lest thou be consumed." In many cases the cry of kindred would urge that there be a longer tarrying on the plane of material experimentation, which had failed to bring health or happiness, but the command comes anew in gentle yet insistent tones, "Flee as a bird to your mountain."

As we begin the ascent in Christian Science, we find new and unexpected aids, which we appropriate as material belief is left behind. The children of Israel were afraid even to approach mount Sinai; but Moses went up and communed with God, infinite Mind, and returned with his face shining so that the people could not look upon it. Then we read that as the years went on, up to one hundred and twenty, his vision was undimmed and his strength unabated. In Science and Health (p. 174) we read, "The thunder of Sinai and the Sermon on the Mount are pursuing and will overtake the ages, rebuking in their course all error and proclaiming the kingdom of heaven on earth." The moral law, materially interpreted, is prohibitive and restrictive, but when we ascend to spiritual heights and commune with the infinite source of all law, we find the freedom wherewith Christ makes free,—freedom from sin, disease, and death.

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