Article February 23, 1935 Issue

The Mountain Path

ALEXANDRA BOBRIKOVA CRICHTON

Our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy, teaches us that a sense of self-condemnation and guilt may be detrimental to our progress in Christian Science, and even to our health and well-being. In the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," she writes on page 455, "A mental state of self-condemnation and guilt or a faltering and doubting trust in Truth are unsuitable conditions for healing the sick." And she adds, "You must utilize the moral might of Mind in order to walk over the waves of error and support your claims by demonstration." We certainly do not want to have a "faltering and doubting trust in Truth," and we shall not falter or doubt as we learn to "utilize the moral might of Mind."

But how shall we demean ourselves when error seems to hold us in bondage to some form of sin, and when, having apparently struggled with its claim on us, we yield sadly to a discouraging sense of guilt and self-condemnation?

A student of Christian Science once had a blessed opportunity to obtain the answer to this question through an enlightening experience. She was called to a high mountain resort to take part in a few concerts. The prospect was very engaging, and she eagerly went to the appointed place. In order to reach her destination she had to take the train to a certain station, and from that point make a steep ascent in a carriage. After the concerts were over she started on her way home with a light and happy heart, deciding to send her baggage with the carriage and walk downhill to the station. The day was bright and warm and the student walked alone amidst gorgeous Alpine scenery, her consciousness filled with gratitude to God for this beauty. Naturally, her thoughts were turned to the immortal beauty of Christian Science. Finally she became so much absorbed that she forgot all else, and suddenly discovered that she was on the wrong road. She knew that she should have passed through two small villages, and that the railroad station should have been seen close below. But quite a different panorama lay before her. No human dwelling was in sight. Huge rocks, cut here and there by deep precipices, stood round about in the silence. Standing on a narrow pathway she realized that she had lost her way, and to her complete dismay saw the evening shadows growing darker every minute. The student knew that it would be useless to turn back, since the mountain paths might lead her still farther astray.

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