Article April 17, 1926 Issue

Signs of the Times

with contributions from James J. Davis, Minot Simons, W. L. Northridge, H. E. Armacost

[From the Spectator, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada]

The Good Book frequently declares that the man who keeps its laws and statutes will lead a happy life. "My son, forget not my law," wrote the wise man, "but let thine heart keep my commandments: for length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee." This is difficult for many to understand, for there is a widespread feeling that freedom from the binding restrictions of laws and regulations is the key to happiness. "Obedience to law is liberty," is a maxim whose far-reaching significance is very often lost sight of. We hear much these days about self-expression. What we need is more self-restraint, if we would really enjoy the liberty and happiness which every human being craves. Just so long as we are on this earth, we shall find within our natures desires that are not good. And though these desires cry for expression, and though they invoke pseudoscientific Freudism as an argument in their behalf, the only course for the man who would have length of length and true happiness is to repress, not express, them. It is true that of ourselves we cannot do this. But God is stronger than our desires; and He has promised us of His strength in this fight.

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