Article May 13, 1933 Issue

Signs of the Times

with contributions from James Reid, Francis C. Ellis, Nathaniel Schmidt

[Rev. James Reid, M. A., in the British Weekly, London, England]

Many a so-called friendship breaks down because on the part of one there is a subtle desire to dominate.... What we call love may be corrupted by this desire of power, and our affection for the other may become only the satisfaction of unconscious pride. Because of this, strain often breaks out between parents and children. We may seek to dominate our children, to coerce them. We try to make them into the image of ourselves, or more often of what we have not been able to be. "What she called love," says a writer of the mother in one of his books, "was only her enjoyment of her son's leaning on her." He was slave, not friend. Is not this distinction also the key to the age-long conflict between masters and men? Peace will never really come into industry till this demand for a real partnership ... is understood. It will come when we learn to say, in effect, to those who work for us, whether in the home or elsewhere, "Henceforth I call you not slaves, but friends."

This was Jesus Christ's attitude to his disciples. He could have commanded them, dominated them, bidden them believe this or that without question. Why did he not create a creed and save all the religious conflicts of Christendom? He could have dictated their every action, and they would have obeyed him. It would have been easier for both of them. Most of us have something in us which longs for this kind of control. But it was not his way. When people wanted explicit guidance, he would throw them back on the voice within: "What do you think yourself?" There are no rules in the teaching of Jesus except the command to love. And that cannot be obeyed till we have the spirit of love, and through that spirit can discern the way of love.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Signs of the Times

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access