The Real Test of Worth
By Spencer B. Meeser
THE faultiest measure of honor is fame, and the least token of right is popularity. Majorities do not make moralities. The majority is as often wrong as right. Neither might nor majority makes right. Self-respect is better than popularity with others; and the approval of Christ worthier than all honor men can give. After Christ’s approval, the next highest thing is the approval of one’s own soul. There is no higher law for one’s life than the law of one’s own soul, save God’s law; and in the last analysis, His is but the more perfect rescript of the one law in our souls. Perfect moral self-respect is one with Christ’s approval. So, once more, such a one as desires true worth is not concerned with ruling and governing others. His kingdom is what he is, not what he has; what he can do in himself, rather than what he can have others do for him. His kingdom is in ruling himself, and he aims at self-mastery. So he keeps his body under, and brings it into subjection; so he casts down false ideals, and leads every thought into captivity to Christ; so he takes hold on the sympathies and emotions, in order that, at last, he may be sovereign in every faculty and power of his life, and use them all to the attainment of worth and blessedness and right character.—Spencer B. Meeser.