The Bible says, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." Vision of what? The vision of that which is real, of that which is divinely good, of that which comes from God and is eternal! Throughout the ages people have perished because there was no vision of divine Science. The blind leaders of the blind have fallen into the ditch of despair. Because of the mesmerism of physical sense, the light of reality has not brightened their skies. Something outside and above itself is required in order that the human consciousness may be lifted above belief in error. This help must be above that materiality which is the seeming cause of our burdens. To expect matter to help us out of matter is a hopeless expectation: our help must come from the spiritual realm. If we have the true vision, we shall not seek relief in or of materiality, but shall reach up for salvation to the divine source of all good. Paul states a fact when he says, "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God."

In the Old Testament we find warnings against "a vain vision," that vision which, being based upon the conjectures of mortal mind, is vain and worthless. What a failure has been the dependence upon the false promises of the metaphorical Egypt, mortal mind—a deceptive reed which has failed all who have leaned upon it! How the world turns here and there for relief, instead of striving to gain the vision of divine Science, which will lift fallen hope to fulfillment! No plan of relief can ever be successful which does not embody the action of divine Principle. It is apparent that we cannot legislate that men shall be good; neither by legislative acts can so-called good times in business be restored and kept on a permanent basis. Some laws are better than some others because they come closer to the Golden Rule; but so-called man-made laws cannot make business successful and keep it so continuously; nor can they lift thought and daily living into obedience to God.

The vision of divine Principle is needed to save the world from its fears, its depressions, its stagnation; and through this vision it will be found that the law of true success is ever ready and operative, awaiting only intelligent utilization. The rule of conduct called the Golden Rule, if practiced by the world, would establish business and economic structures upon Principle, and good times would not be subject to the ebb and flow of the tides of human hopes and fears but would be constant.

Our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 572), "Love fulfils the law of Christian Science, and nothing short of this divine Principle, understood and demonstrated, can ever furnish the vision of the Apocalypse, open the seven seals of error with Truth, or uncover the myriad illusions of sin, sickness, and death." One may believe that his problems keep him from having the true vision, and yet it is only spiritual love which is needed to gain the vision. Without our consent, material conditions cannot dim the vision. Ezekiel, when a prisoner in a foreign land, was able to lift his gaze above the physical appearances, and in the book named after him we find his words, "Now it came to pass ... as I was among the captives by the river Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God." Captivity did not blind his vision.

According to one translation, it is recounted that the Master took three disciples with him to "a high hill," and it was on this hill that the vision appeared. With the Master's help the disciples were following the Christ. Jesus saw this heavenly appearance rightly. The disciples were not able to comprehend fully the significance of the glory; and Peter desired to make tabernacles for Jesus, Moses, and Elias. While the well-meaning pupil thus spoke, "a bright cloud overshadowed them," and "a voice out of the cloud" bade them listen to the "beloved Son." Despite their limited understanding of it, this marvelous vision was later to become a living inspiration to these men, leading them on to renowned heights in Christian living. Of John's later experience we read in our textbook (Science and Health, p. 561), "The Revelator beheld the spiritual idea from the mount of vision." Likewise, in communion with God upon the mountain top of inspiration, do we gain the vision necessary to our development. And, even as Jesus came from the mount of exaltation to continue in the valleys of human experience his practical proof of God's allness and the unreality of evil, so in the valleys we must prove the vision.

Spiritual exaltation is essential to the student of Christian Science, for without it he may wander from the straight road of Principle. He must acknowledge his spiritual ability to have the vision of God's nearness and power, of man's perfection and spirituality. He must have this spiritual vision, if he would ride safely over the waves of mesmeric suggestion. Without it he has but the letter of Christian Science. Gaining the spirit of Christian Science, he will not let go the angel-visitant until he is able to make his demonstrations of the power of good to overcome evil.

The student must keep before him this need of the heavenly vision. Each day some new truth should be his, some clearer sense of the divine, which identifies his consciousness with Love. This need of spiritual growth which is supplied by the true vision cannot be too strongly stressed. If in the course of any day the student does not come to know God better and his true self better, he has not been fully awake to his opportunity. Holding to the divine vision advances the "new birth," whereby is unfolded to one's consciousness the beauty of heaven's loveliness. Through an ever increasing vision of divine Science the student is enabled to be a comforting friend to all, demonstrating the truth of God's love, always available to save and heal.

Is our vision of reality only as an occasional flash of light, or is it growing steadily in clearness, increasing in glory as the dawning of day? We should not be discouraged if our vision does not at once grasp as much of the divine glory as we desire. We must keep on, and God will give us an ample increase of the vision of good as the only substance, the only power.

How much faith or trust do we have in our vision of God's allness? It is necessary to have understanding of God and His creation; but going in advance of our understanding must be our faith or trust in God. We must trust in God and let faith have its part in our vision. It is true that Christ has risen in human consciousness: the Christ is coming more and more to be recognized as real and ever present. Christ, Truth, is always unfolding reality to us and lifting our vision to the heights of the celestial city.

As Christian Scientists we have vision, and we must know that it will ever expand if we are faithful. But we must not be visionary. There is a decided variance between having divine vision and being visionary. The first is practical and enables one to heal, for without vision one does not know the truth and its application. Being visionary is apt to lead one into foolishness, into high-sounding phrases; and this is not wisdom.

We must live with the true vision of God, see ever the exalted spiritual sense of good, and let it unfold for us greater joys and victories. As we keep and guard it well, it will expand and bless us. So we shall have started on our happy journey toward fullness of spirituality. According to one translation, Habakkuk says, "The vision has its own appointed hour, it is ripening, it will flower; if it be long, then wait, for it is sure, and it will not be late." Shall we not, then, give prayerful heed to the gaining of true vision?

Copyright, 1933, by The Christian Science Publishing Society, One, Norway Street, Boston, Massachusetts. Entered at Boston post office as second-class matter. Acceptance for mailing at a special rate of postage provided for in section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized on July 11, 1918.