Editorial March 6, 1926 Issue

Law Protective

Ella W. Hoag

Mankind does not always look upon law as protective. Because mortals are so deeply concerned with having their own way, they are apt to think of law as merely prohibitive; for, say they, law limits our activities, it tells us what we shall and shall not do. Their attitude towards it, therefore, is very frequently one of rebellion accompanied with a desire to readjust the laws, that they may be made to suit their own individual opinions and convenience. When such change is found to be impossible, many decide that in order to maintain their own sense of personal liberty they are quite justified in disregarding or even in breaking the laws to which they object.

All this is very shortsighted, since to show disrespect for and disobedience to that which may be said to stand primarily for protection is to attempt the overthrow of that very freedom which all men prize so highly. A little deeper thought would very quickly awaken men to see that this mistaken attitude towards law is based in a fear that there is some power which may be so exercised as to deprive them of that which they believe to be good.

Paul met this difficulty very simply and clearly when he proclaimed that all power belongs to God. In his epistle to the Romans he wrote: "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." Then he went on to show that whosoever resists "the power," resists God, and that "they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation." He still further declared: "For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same."

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