Editorial June 13, 1994 Issue

Rules for life

William E. Moody

In the October 31, 1901, issue of this magazine, the Editors printed, without additional editorial commentary, an item titled "George Washington's Seventeen Rules of Life." Washington's list begins: "Act at all times as in the presence of God, and make it the great object in all things to please Him."

The remaining sixteen rules express the Founding Father's sincerest sentiments on how this is to be accomplished: through yielding to God's will, following the example of Christ Jesus, and treating all of God's creation with dignity, love, and respect. Washington's third rule includes the inspired counsel "Cherish no thoughts, indulge no feelings, speak no words, and do no actions, but what you really think, after all the light you can gain, will most honor God, most benefit yourself and others, and give you the greatest joy when they come to be exhibited before the assembled universe at the judgment day."

As I read this rule, I recalled an observation made by the author of the Christian Science textbook, Mary Baker Eddy. In her work Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, she writes, "No final judgment awaits mortals, for the judgment-day of wisdom comes hourly and continually, even the judgment by which mortal man is divested of all material error" (p. 291).

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