Editorial July 11, 1936 Issue

Moral Courage

Duncan Sinclair

When we think of moral courage there come at once to memory two names out of the pages of Biblical history—those of Christ Jesus and Moses. The moral courage of both, based as it was on an understanding of God and His law, will ever continue to be cherished by mankind as that which is possible of attainment by all.

Moses' moral courage was a gradual development. It had its origin in compassion for the oppressed and regard of the right—love of mercy and justice. The sufferings of his fellow countrymen, the Hebrews, at the hands of the Egyptians, served to stimulate his resolve to bring about their freedom, through the power of the God of their fathers; and this he accomplished with magnificent moral courage. And when in the wilderness, on their pilgrimage to the promised land of Canaan, he found the people morally wayward, self-willed, rebellious, what strength of character he showed when he formulated the Ten Commandments, as divinely revealed, and gave them to the Israelites that they might cherish them and be saved from disobedience to moral law, with inevitable mental and physical distress!

If the moral courage of Moses was grand, what shall be said of that of Christ Jesus? The Master stands out in human history as having attained to a moral height which is positively sublime. The entire record of his life illustrates this; but consider only the period immediately before his demonstration of the eternal nature of life—through the way of the cross. Matthew says that when before Caiaphas, the high priest, Jesus "held his peace"—even when false witness was sought "to put him to death." And when Pilate, who had the power to release him or condemn him to crucifixion, asked him if he was aware of this, he replied, "Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above" (John 19:11). The attitude of the Master before his accusers and judge—his sublime silence and fearless calm—has never ceased throughout the centuries to cause his followers to marvel at the depth of the love and goodness and understanding which supported him during his ordeal. Speaking of "the world's weapons," our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy, writes (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 48): "Jesus had not one of them, and chose not the world's means of defence. 'He opened not his mouth.'"

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