Article March 12, 1921 Issue

Principle and Precedent

LESTER DAVID EHMKE

It can truly be said that the mortal or carnal mind knows nothing of either absolute Principle or precedent. This so-called mind does, however, claim to understand precedent and, to be agreeable with the capricious notion of this mind, it will be admitted that it follows precedent faithfully. In fact, there is nothing else for it to do but imitate with its shallow understanding of that term whenever it feels the pressure of Truth prodding it on. On page 6 of her sermon entitled "The People's Idea of God" Mrs. Eddy writes, "Periods and peoples are characterized by their highest or their lowest ideals, by their God and their devil."

Now Christian Science teaches that the man God created in His "own image and likeness" was "very good." If God is wholly good, then it must inevitably follow that man is likewise. Such a man as this could surely have no devil, but the galimatias of the serpent, alias mortal mind, gradually, according to the second account of creation given in the book of Genesis, gave man a devil to fear and worship. So it is that man finds himself trying to serve two masters. This is an undertaking never known to have been consummated; therefore a man may prefer to set Principle quietly and unblushingly aside and follow precedent. Thus in this marvelous day of enlightenment and toleration we read and hear of individuals summoned before judges and juries for having been loyal to their highest understanding of Principle, to explain why they have not bowed down to the popular devil of vaccination, for instance. In the olden days people wore amulets to protect them from evils and to ward off disease. Can it be possible that a scar on one's arm to-day is a protection to others as well as to one's self, making one immune from disease? Or are mortals still engrossed with the belief that God made them to be sick and sinning, but to foil His designs they must seek out a preventive?

That being so, nevertheless it would not be so ridiculous if the matter ended there; but mortals feel it a sacred duty to insist that their fellow men join them in this all too unconscious vicious circle, and if opposition is met with, the cry of precedent and demand of compliance with the law are raised. History indeed repeats itself. It was demanded of Jesus why his disciples did not comply with the tradition of the elders and wash their hands before eating. After pointedly rebuking those self-constituted interpreters of law and order, the great Teacher turned to the multitude and said, "Hear, and understand: not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man." What a profound statement! Could anything be stated more clearly? Paul, coming after Jesus' time, healed the sick and sinning because he, too, understood this law, namely, that all cause is mental and not material, for he wrote to the Galatians, "Neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision."

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