Editorial April 6, 1912 ISSUE

OBEDIENCE TO LAW

Annie M. Knott

It is generally conceded that the Mosaic Decalogue contains the vital elements of moral law, and that its provisions underlie all civil and criminal codes. It would therefore be very interesting to learn the extent to which the moral requirements of the ten commandments are obeyed by nominal Christians the world over, even the four statutes which forbid murder, moral impurity, theft, and lying; that is, taking these statutes in their most obvious signification. No one could justly deny that if these requirements were heeded by all mankind, there would be no need of prisons or of the large army of those who are required under present human conditions to protect the lives, property, and reputations of their fellow men. The fact that these are so largely in evidence shows that law separated from obedience does little for the human race, and this should be impressed upon children at the earliest possible period.

Here it may be well to remember that mortal man is not, in the very nature of things, identified with law, yet mortals have learned by sad experience that law is necessary for their protection, and that its enforcement is demanded because of human ignorance of the blessings attendant upon obedience to all righteous law, and in the truest sense there is no other. In Paul's epistles we find several references to "the children of disobedience," and he does not hesitate to say, "We ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived;" but he also tells us the true way to obedience when he speaks of the law which is written upon the heart, not upon tables of stone; written "not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God." Respecting this our revered Leader says, "The law of God is the law of Spirit, a moral and spiritual force." She also says, "God is the fountain of light, and He illumines one's way when one is obedient" (Miscellaneous Writings, pp. 257, 117). This being admitted, we can have no uncertainty as to the right course to pursue or the results of following our highest sense of right at all times.

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