Article April 8, 1933 Issue

The Mount of Vision

MARJORIE N. BUFFUM

In these days of apparent turbulence, unemployment, and distress, many earnest people are casting about to find the best way of relieving the want and woe contingent on these conditions, and of bettering the state of their fellow men. We see many strange situations, such as the discharge of employees, while the very people who do this are at the same time collecting money to relieve unemployment. All human so-called laws of economics are being severely tried and, more often than not, found wanting.

Centuries ago there walked and talked with men the man Christ Jesus, who gave to the world the soundest economic rules ever formulated, based as they were on his perfect understanding of God, man, and the universe. He gave the rules of proper conduct, and for our example practiced them himself throughout all his glorious career. The opening sentence of the chapter in Matthew containing the commencement of the Sermon on the Mount is pregnant with meaning. In this account we read, "And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him." The signification of his teaching was not made plain until Mrs. Eddy gave to mankind the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." In fact, the teachings of Christ Jesus, that practical, scientific man, have been considered by many altogether too vague and impractical for use in everyday affairs. This misunderstanding is cleared up by Christian Science for all who are willing to listen humbly. It must be admitted that, in the intervening centuries since the advent of Christ Jesus, human theories on the whole have not proved successful.

Jesus, then, "seeing the multitudes," discerned their real need. He perceived that there were those who were ready to hear the truth about God and man. Once humanity sees that a leader or teacher has something to give which is really vital, it is susceptible of being led. And so our dear Master, whose invincible understanding of the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man was maintained at the top of the mount of vision, gave it to those who were desirous enough of it to seek it. Referring to what is known as the Sermon on the Mount, Mrs. Eddy writes (Retrospection and Introspection, p. 91), "Indeed, this title really indicates more the Master's mood, than the material locality." From this spiritual summit of perfect seeing, Christ Jesus gave us for all time that digest of manners, morals, and conduct which, if obeyed, cannot fail to bring joy and peace and prosperity. And so great was the divine compassion of our Saviour that, as he came down from the mountain, he gave practical proof of the efficacy of his words by healing a leper.

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