Article December 9, 1916 Issue

Compulsion

CAPT. GEOFFREY WILKINSON

In nothing, perhaps, are the dominating tendencies of mortal mind more pronounced than in the manner in which one person would compel others to follow his prejudices and inclinations. Because the human mind has decided that a certain course is right,—as a matter of fact it is probably in many instances entirely wrong,—it demands that all others should follow its behests. The fact is, that the human mind has no definite guidance to follow, and thus its inclinations usually spring from the feeling of the moment, or in other cases from its particular fears.

It is extraordinary how many people think they know exactly what their neighbors ought to do, and who criticize and interfere in consequence, though they would very much object to being similarly criticized or interfered with. An instance of this is presented in the ninth chapter of Mark's gospel, where John is recorded as objecting to another's work and saying, "Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbade him, because he followeth not us." The reply of Jesus made for that essential liberty which all of his followers should ever enjoy, and it is interesting that John was the center of a further incident along much the same lines, when Peter said to Jesus, at the breakfast after the Master's resurrection: "Lord, and what shall this man do?" Again the reply of Jesus put aside the tendency to meddle in other men's affairs and pointed out to Peter that the only thing he was concerned with was that he himself should follow in the footsteps of his Master.

It is, however, well to distinguish between liberty and license, a point which is often overlooked. Here again the right attitude was indicated by the Master in the famous injunction, "Render to Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's, and to God the things that are God's." It is at this point that we are carried from the demands of the individual to the demands of the city or state. Human government is admittedly defective and its ordinances are apt to cause injustice; but even in such cases the injunction to render to Cæsar "the things that are Cæsar's" still holds good, and it was entirely in line with this attitude that Mrs. Eddy counseled Christian Scientists to obey the law even when it seemed to discriminate unfairly and injuriously against them.

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