The True Viewpoint

Ella W. Hoag

Mankind believes in many viewpoints. Indeed, each person believes he has a viewpoint of his own, and that it may vary with every problem which presents itself to him for solution. This viewpoint which he calls his own he believes to be made up, in general, of his opinions in regard to what is true and false, right and wrong, pleasant and unpleasant. Then, when a problem comes to him to solve, he looks at it in the light of his own opinion, and judges the circumstances and conditions in such varying manner as may seem to him necessary and desirable. In all this, it is easily seen, there is no fixity, no reliability; all is shifting and uncertain, fluctuating and unstable. That results pertaining thereto would also partake of these unreliable qualities would necessarily follow.

This multiplicity of viewpoints is one of the most prominent reasons for the frequent divergence among men in their conclusions in regard to questions, whether of person or of state, of home, church, or civics—national or otherwise. If men have no fixed viewpoint for their own affairs, how could they have one for the affairs of the world, or how could they expect unity, in opinion or activity, among associations of masses? The truth is that men never agree until they come to accept, at least temporarily, a common viewpoint. Without a united vision from which to consider questions, no unity could possibly be attained. Most of the disagreements among men are the result of considering questions from varying standpoints. Human opinions, for the most part, are based on the belief in many minds. With many minds, many viewpoints inevitably result. From such a shifting basis varying conclusions follow, and dissension and division walk in their train; for with personal, material viewpoints, even though those holding such may temporarily seem to concur in purpose and conclusion, differences of opinion again arise, and discord and separation are the outcome.

In "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 265), Mrs. Eddy writes: "Diverse opinions in Science are stultifying. All must have one Principle and the same rule; and all who follow the Principle and rule have but one opinion of it." Herein is a clear and concise statement of the one universal viewpoint. When grasped and demonstrated, it will bring that perfect concord among brethren which will prove heaven present, as surely as God is present. On the way to the full apprehension of this unvarying standpoint, where there is perfect fixity, perfect reliability, perfect unity, with all resulting harmony, men have many a lesson to learn.

In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 182), our Leader tells us: "It is impossible to work from two standpoints. If we attempt it, we shall presently 'hold to the one, and despise the other.'" As our Master further said, "Ye cannot serve God and mammon." But is not this just what so-called mortal mind is always urging upon mortals? Is it not always attempting to present both the material and the spiritual viewpoint, or, in other words, the human opinion and the divine ideal?

If Christian Scientists were always awake to this claim of double-mindedness, and recognized its undesirability, since as James says, "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways," they would be able to refuse to express such weakness, and avoid many of the difficulties which claim to beset them in their journey heavenward. To gain the true or spiritual viewpoint, and refuse to consider any question except in the light of such vision, would make dissension among brethren impossible. On the other hand, to consider anything from the standpoint of mere human, personal opinion is to open the way for almost unlimited mistaken judgment.

Our Leader also says (Science and Health, p. 84), "The ancient prophets gained their foresight from a spiritual, incorporeal standpoint, not by foreshadowing evil and mistaking fact for fiction,—predicting the future from a groundwork of corporeality and human belief." Then, like them, let us keep the true, spiritual viewpoint always before us. If we are sufficiently humble to consider all questions from the standpoint of divine Principle alone, this will result in such breadth of spiritual vision as shall bring into evidence and demonstration the divine qualities, and Truth and Love will be found to reign supreme.

Ella W. Hoag.

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