Article January 24, 1925 Issue

Climbing

Irving Van Zandt

Two students of Christian Science set out, one beautiful morning in the early autumn, to climb one of the majestic mountains of New England. The way was very easy at first; in fact, the first stage of the journey was made by automobile. Soon the end of the road was reached, the car abandoned, and the ascent of the steep trail begun. Sometimes the way was very steep and rugged and the progress slow. At each new elevation attained, however, the travelers were rewarded by grander views of the surrounding country. Sometimes the upward movement ceased, the way leading slightly down into small valleys, but later it always attained to greater heights beyond. Finally the summit was reached, and to the travelers was revealed in every direction, as far as the eye could see, the glorious ever changing panorama of woodland, dotted with occasional villages, peaceful farms, and numerous silver lakes. The view was observed for some time in silent reverence to God for the magnitude of His wondrous works, but a meager symbol of which was that which the eye beheld.

How similar to the experience of the mountain climbers is our upward journey in Christian Science! When the light of Truth first dawns upon our consciousness, possibly through a physical healing or the overcoming of some other discordant condition, we are filled with gratitude and a desire to learn more of the Science which has opened to us the door of a new hope. This is the easy part of the road, which perhaps had been made so by the gracious help of a loving practitioner.

Presently, however, we are put to the necessity of proof, without which no upward progress can be made. We find that through each material condition overcome we rise to greater heights in our journey heavenward and obtain confidence to face future problems, even as David, through having proved the ever-presence and power of God in slaying the lion and the bear which had taken a lamb out of his father’s flock, was able, unafraid and undismayed, to face and overcome Goliath. Sometimes we seem to be unable to progress; or, perhaps, we may seem to go down into the valley; but there is no backward step in Christian Science, and this seeming retrogression takes place only that we may rise to greater heights through clearer understanding and added demonstrations.

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Climbing

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