Article October 30, 1920 Issue

Signs of the Times

with contributions from L. Ames Brown, Frederick W. Perkins, Augustus P. Record

["Right Decision"—The Christian Science Monitor, Boston, U.S.A., July 17, 1920]

The individual is constantly facing situations in which he must decide upon a desirable course to pursue. It may be that a decision is called for immediately, without hesitation, or that the occasion is such that it allows of further consideration. Again, it may be that the problem presented is but a small one of everyday occurrence or, possibly, it is one by which, if it is not met rightly, his whole future may be affected. In either case, he wishes to take the step that will give him the greatest assurance of good. Whatever answer he gives must, of course, be based upon what he knows about the particular question he is considering, or, if he does not know all about it, his answer is based partly upon his relative belief. It is certain, however, that to place himself in a position to receive the greatest benefit, he must decide in accordance with divine Principle; and in the degree that he understands Principle will he be able to attain to what is true and right; for, as Mrs. Eddy says on page 288 of "Miscellaneous Writings," "Wisdom in human action begins with what is nearest right under the circumstances, and thence achieves the absolute."

Perhaps the occasion is one in which a great deliberative body is in session, considering a highly important subject. Obviously, whether the action it will take is to be governed by a majority, or whether it is to be unanimous, the decision must rest primarily with the individual. And just so far as the primal decision of each individual is right, the final decision of the entire body will be right. If each of those who participate in the ruling vote has made his individual decision according to Principle, then the final decision and action of the assembly will be in accordance with Principle. But if this is not the case, if the ruling majority have, as individuals, based their decision upon mere belief, then it is likely that their combined action, as a result, will be wrong. And as nothing is settled until it is settled rightly,—settled according to Principle, they have not arrived at a true and permanent decision; but, on the contrary, they have handed down a makeshift, and have simply put off the true and right decision until another season.

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