Article February 17, 1951 Issue

THE I, OR EGO, AND ITS REFLECTION

WILLIAM PADGET

The meekness and the might of the Master were one. He was not afraid to use the personal pronoun I often, for he knew how to use it without taking the name of God in vain. Many a one, considering himself a mortal and having a degree of modesty, is conscious that one may overdo the use of "I." "While the egotist cannot easily bear its use by others, the more modest are always more or less apologetic when they must use it repeatedly.

But Christ Jesus used the emphatic I to such an extent in his statements regarding himself and his relation to the Father, Mind, that we find it recorded numerous times in the Gospel of John alone. This is a hint that "I" may be used, but one should take care that it is not misused.

Before the time of Jesus of Nazareth the prophets were conscious that God, the divine Ego, identified Himself as I. Isaiah heard His voice proclaiming (Isa. 41:10), "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Often the Old Testament prophets prefaced their statements or pronouncements with "Thus saith the Lord" or "Thus saith God." They were impelled to make it clear that the statements made were the Word of God, and that they themselves were but His messengers.

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