Note and Comment

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 7, 1910

Perpetuity of the Law

UNDER the heading, “A Question of Authority,” Rev. R. L. Hay, in the United Presbyterian of June 16, says this of the character and perpetuity of the law of ten commandments:—

The Christian world has always believed, and still believes, that these ten fundamental principles of moral conduct have eternal, divine sanction. Whoever by word or deed does aught to weaken their authority over the human conscience, strikes a blow both at religion and at the very foundation of society.

In speaking of the law given at Sinai, he says:—

Was the commandment, “Thou shalt not kill,” without divine authority or eternal sanction previous to that date? Did men steal, and lie, and dishonor their parents, and blaspheme God’s name before that time, without any consciousness of wrong-doing, or any suspicion that moral laws of divine authority were being violated? It will scarcely be claimed that these principles of conduct were not recognized, with some degree of clearness at least, both by the Hebrews and by other people, as having divine authority, before Moses led his people to the sacred mount.