Article May 8, 1948 Issue

BE A LAW UNTO YOURSELF

EMMA H. SAYLES

A friend once asked another, "How do you succeed so well in never steadying another's ark?" What was meant was of course, her friend's scrupulous avoidance of intrusiveness into the affairs of others. The figure of speech comes from the Bible incident related in the first book of Chronicles (13:9), where Uzza was stricken down for attempting to steady the ark of the Lord.

The other replied in terms of fishing: "I simply watch my own line and hook. If I am tending another's, our lines are apt to become fouled, and that brings trouble to both of us."

The basis of this practical attitude was her recognition of the fact that the one Mind, the all-intelligent God, cares for all in ways far wiser and higher than any human direction can outline or provide. When Christ Jesus rebuked Peter, who was unduly concerned about John's problem, with "What is that to thee? follow thou me" (John 21:22), he did not imply that Peter should follow self-interest or be indifferent to another's welfare, but rather that he should humbly acknowledge the leading of the Christ, Truth, in his own life and allow John the same privilege. Thus Peter was shown that the only responsibility a human being has is individual obedience to God, which results in his being a law unto himself.

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