Article October 28, 1916 Issue

Mountain Lessons

HELLEN L. YOUNG

As the traveler's eyes are lifted up to the great continental divide, he sees towering in all its grandeur that ridge of the Rocky Mountains on whose western slope the rain that falls runs to the quiet Pacific, while that which waters the eastern slope flows into the storm-tossed Atlantic. This dividing line is a constant reminder of the definition of understanding as given on page 505 in our text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy. It reads, "Understanding is the line of demarcation between the real and unreal." As we gain the true understanding of God and man, we realize that our thoughts either help to swell the great ocean of mortal belief with its elements of passion, fear, pain, sin, sickness, and death, or they find their resting-place in infinite Love, with its joy, courage, wisdom, and calm strength. What a blessing it is to know that there is a divine Principle which teaches us to think righteously!

One peak of this lofty mountain divide is said to be the richest in the whole world, because of the stupendous mineral wealth taken from its depths. The ore was always there, but until recent times men had not learned how to find and utilize this wealth. So the Bible, with its treasures of wisdom and love, was always here, but until Mrs. Eddy gave us the "Key to the Scriptures" which opened them up for practical use, we did not know how to make our own the precious nuggets of comfort and healing. There is no royal road to learning, and as the miner digs and delves for the ore in the mountain, so we must perseveringly strive to gain the affluence of Spirit if we would be "rich toward God," to quote the Master's words.

Our revered Leader says, "Spiritually interpreted, rocks and mountains stand for solid and grand ideas" (Science and Health, p. 511). Not only do mountains stand for repositories of treasure, but they also furnish marvelous lessons of uplifted thought. Moses rejoices in his song because God made man to "ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields." High spiritual altitudes bring clear discernment, and this always gives an increase of all good. The ascending thought, the exalted state, begins with humility and obedience. David lifted up his thought to the hills for help. The Christ-idea is the rock that casts its shadow on the traveler in a weary land, and understanding and strength take the place of sorrow and suffering. As we climb the path our Master trod, we learn how to rejoice at every step of the way. We rise through the understanding of divine Truth which gave the Christ-idea the name of "Wonderful," and we cease to believe in matter, sin, disease, or death.

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