THE HOLIER VISION

LEONA HALLINAN

The kingdom of Judah experienced great prosperity during the reign of one of its kings, Uzziah. He occupied the throne at the age of sixteen, and the Bible informs us that he reigned for fifty-two years. For many years he proved himself a wise ruler. He was loved and honored by his people, of whom Isaiah was one.

As with all loyal, alert subjects, a deep individual sense of loss must have been felt by Isaiah when his king passed on. However, at this time Isaiah was enabled to perceive the divine revelation of the absolute rule of God, a vision which he later recorded in the following words (Isa. 6:1): "In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple." And he added, "Mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts." Isaiah had glimpsed something of the allness of God which in this age has been revealed to us by Mary Baker Eddy. She tells us in "the scientific statement of being" in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 468), "All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all."

Just as Isaiah was called upon to acknowledge God as King, so all mankind today is being lovingly awakened to see God's allness. Christian Science is bringing the holier vision into focus for many. It is revealing man's present state of oneness, or unity, with God as His reflection. It is enabling humanity to prove the purity and spirituality of man. It declares that man lives because God is Life; he knows because God is Mind; he loves because God is Love; and he is because God is Principle.

Since God is the Supreme Being, His government of man and the universe is without opposition, obstruction, interruption, or interference of any description. Each one of us is being called upon to support his national government and the governing bodies of its various institutions. However, sometimes disappointment is felt over the results of decisions and elections in national affairs. Here, then, is an individual summons to lift thought to perceive the higher vision of God's omnipotence.

The same summons is true in all business, social, or church affairs. As the called of God, we have a responsibility to Him, to His messengers, and to mankind. We must so purify thought that we too may discern God's present enthronement and the effect of His wisdom and government in the details of the affairs of nations and of men. Our support truly blesses when it is based upon God, Spirit, as the sole governing force.

Has the mortal picture presented death as a reality? Just as God, the true King, still lived and reigned in Isaiah's vision, so God today lives and acts to fill all human needs. The writer, following the passing of one dearly loved, felt a marked need for the co-operation, stability, intelligence, and love which had so long been evidenced by this loved one. Having had many proofs of the effectiveness of God's Word, as given in the Scriptures, she now sought through humble prayer the practical import of the passage (Isa. 54:5), "Thy Maker is thine husband."

It became obvious to her that God, divine Love, alone had the resources needed to fill the seemingly vacuous existence. The result of viewing God in this light was a clearer sense of His fullness and completeness. His all-inclusiveness has always been manifested in various ways, not the least of which is in the loving thoughtfulness of one's friends.

Our Leader expected her students always to lift thought to Truth. In a letter to First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Oconto, Wisconsin, when it was called upon to part with its beloved pastor, Mrs. Eddy said (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 149), "May this sacrifice bring to your beloved church a vision of the new church, that cometh down from heaven, whose altar is a loving heart, whose communion is fellowship with saints and angels."

Our Leader allowed neither time nor place for the entertainment of bitterness, lack, confusion, or fear, but through the words, "May this sacrifice bring... a vision," did she not literally point for us the direction in which the vision can be seen? As our great Master, Christ Jesus, proved, the sacrifice and struggle disappear when thought is illumined by the higher, holier vision of divine Science.

In the words of a hymn in the Christian Science Hymnal we may sing (No. 64),

The way leads upward and its goal draws nearer,
Thought soars enraptured, fetterless and free;
The vision infinite to me grows clearer,
I touch the fringes of eternity.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

SATISFACTION AND DISSATISFACTION

February 19, 1955

Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit