The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-03-05
The Golden Rule

- stated in Matthews account Of
Jesus Sermon on the Mount in these
words (7:12): Therefore all things
whatsoever ye would that men should
do to you, do ye even SO to then:
for this is the law and the prophets"
Jesus reference to 1.-The law and the
prophets" shows clearly that he rec
ognized the origin of this rule as a
part of the Mosaic law and the teach
ings of the prophets.
In the twenty-second chapter of
Matthews Gospel is given the ac-
count of lawyer who tried to entrap
Jesus with the question, Master,
which Is the great commandment in
the law?" Quoting from the ancient
writings with which he was so ia
miliar, Jesus said, Thou shalt love
the Lord thy God with all thy heart,
and with all thy soul, and with all
thy mind" following this with the
declaration: "This is the first and
great commandment. And the second
is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy
neighbour as myself"
Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer
and Founder of Christian Science,
frequently refers to the Golden Rule,
and sums up the right attitude in
these words from Science and
Health with Key to the Scriptures
(p. 518): 1.-THE rich in spirit help
the poor in one grand brotherhood,
all having the same Principle. or Fa-
Their; and blessed is that man who
seeth his brothers need and suppli-
eth it, seeking his own in another's
good"
Not always does 1t seem easy to
obey the Golden Rule, for mortal
mind may argue that it is useless for
one to go out of his way to serve his
neighbor. Yielding to selfishness, or
the false sense of self, one may argue
thus: 81 have not the time to do this
or that for my neighbour" or, II can
not afford to do it," or, "It is none
of my business, anyway" Whatever
the false argument put forth, 1t
should be met by a prompt denial,
knowing that one can do whatsoever
love leads one to do for others.
"But / have no opportunities to
serve my neighbor," says one whose
environment seems cramped and linn
tied, Let such a one look about him
with seeing eye and he will find
many helpful things he can do. Be-
a cheerful greeting to those who pre-
pare the morning meal; and kindly
word of encouragement to members
of the family before he leaves in the
morning will help wonderfully to
make their days duties lighter. On
the way to the Office or shop he may
perhaps express many courtesy to-
ward fellow commuters. Then again,
q little assistance may show a new
employee how to do his work more
easily and skillfully. And so on
throughout the day there will be
found many opportunities to serve
his neighbor.
The happy results of applying the
Golden Rule in everyday affairs is
illustrated in the following incident
recently related to the writer. Cir
cumstances had made 1t impossible
for a family to keep UP their pay
ments for the purchase of a small
dwelling. 1t was therefore arranged
that they should remain in the place
for time, with the understanding
that they were to cause no extra legal
expenses when the time came to va
cate the property. The family were
to leave the place in midsummer; so
It seemed almost useless for them to
put in a garden, or to plant flowers
and shrubs. Discussing the mat
ter among themselves, they reached
the decision not only to put in gar
den, but to plant flowers and shrubs
to make the place as attractive and
beautiful as they could, thus helping
the owner to dispose of the property.
Much real joy was expressed by the
members of the family in the beauty
and order which prevailed as re-
suit of their decision.
When the appointed time ap-
preached, the holder of the contract
called upon the family to get their
SIGNATURES to the necessary papers
which he had prepared. When he
saw the loving care which had been
bestowed upon the yard and garden,
he was so impressed with the unset
fishness manifested that, instead of
having the papers signed which he
had brought with him, he made out
others setting forth an agreement
whereby the family retained their
little dwelling on terms which were
satisfactory to all. Thus, in lovingly
applying the Golden Rule they found
themselves greatly blessed beyond
measure.
AS we let God, good, govern our
every thought, we shall no longer
think it a burden to serve our fellow
men, but shall find such joy In so
doing that we shall welcome every
opportunity to practise the Golden
Rule.-The Christian Science Monitor.
Queen Elizabeth, daughter Of the